CUE September 2026 Newsletter

Welcome, New 2026–2027 Students!

We’re excited to welcome 19 new students to the Center for Urban Education (CUE) this fall! We asked a few of them to share information about themselves, such as why they were drawn to teaching as a career. Thanks to Darlene Medina, Magaly Tortoledo-Ovando, Bella Berryman, Maria Villa, and Luis Natal for their participation.

Welcome to all of our new students!

Darlene Medina

New student Darlene Medina currently works as a paraprofessional at Vassar Elementary School in Aurora Public Schools.

Medina said what drew her to teaching was the desire to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives and help them find their autonomy. “I want to be part of their growth, support their learning, and help them see their own potential,” said Medina.

She loves witnessing children’s curiosity and joy as they learn something new. “Their energy, creativity, and unique perspectives make every day engaging and fulfilling,” Medina said.

What stood out to Medina about the UNC Center for Urban Education is how deeply the program values diversity. “I feel as if the program is committed to understanding and practicing culturally responsive teaching, and everyone is intentional about honoring students from all walks of life,” she said. “That commitment is what inspired me to pursue my degree there.”

A fun fact about her is that she’s ambidextrous.

Magaly Tortoledo-Ovando

New student Magaly Tortoledo-Ovando currently works as a paraprofessional at Dalton Elementary School in Aurora Public Schools.

Tortoledo-Ovando said her love of working with children drew her to teaching. “I want to create a classroom where every child feels safe, welcomed, valued, and supported,” she said. “I believe being a teacher is about more than academics. It is also about building relationships, encouraging students, and giving them a safe place to make mistakes and grow.” She hopes to be someone her students can count on while they develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

What she enjoys most about working with children is building relationships with them and watching them grow. “I especially love seeing the moment when something finally clicks for a student who has been struggling or doubting themselves,” said Tortoledo-Ovando. Every child is unique, she said, and she enjoys getting to know their personalities, cultures, interests, and strengths.

Tortoledo-Ovando said she appreciates the UNC Center for Urban Education’s focus on preparing educators to work with students from diverse backgrounds and communities. “The program has taught me that being an effective teacher means understanding more than just the academic needs of my students,” she said. “It also means recognizing the importance of their cultures, experiences, families, and individual needs.”

She added that the program challenges her to recognize her own biases, be culturally responsive, and continually adapt her teaching practices. She strives to be someone who never stops learning and creates a classroom where every student knows they belong.

A fun fact about Tortoledo-Ovando is that she enjoys a little bit of everything—listening to music, watching movies, coloring, reading, and trying new foods. She enjoys discovering new experiences in her free time.

Bella Berryman

New student Bella Berryman currently works as a paraprofessional at Dalton Elementary School in Aurora Public Schools.

Berryman said her younger sisters drew her to teaching. “Watching them grow up and helping them learn has been the most rewarding experience in my life thus far, and I want to be a part of that for as many people as I can,” she said. “Teaching is by no means an easy job, but it is rewarding. Watching the growth of today’s future adults is truly astonishing, and I want to make a difference as an educator.”

What she enjoys most about working with children? “They truly say whatever comes to their minds, and I think it is hilarious,” said Berryman.

Berryman likes that the Center for Urban Education allows students to gain field experience while earning their degree. “It gives you the opportunity to interact with kids and apply your learning in real time, as opposed to having to wait until you are student teaching,” she said. She also appreciates how accommodating the program is for students who are working and learning at the same time, calling it “an amazing environment to be a part of.”

A fun fact about Berryman is that she started rock climbing when she was six years old and continues to practice today.

Maria Villa

New student Maria Villa works as a paraprofessional at Kenton Elementary School in Aurora Public Schools.

Villa said she has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. “When I began working as a substitute teacher, I realized I had a passion for teaching,” she said. “I want to make a positive impact on students’ lives and inspire them to pursue their dreams. I want to be an example of what they can accomplish.”

What she enjoys most about working with children is creating personal relationships with them. “I appreciate the opportunity to see their reactions when they realize I was once in their shoes and experienced similar situations as them. Having the opportunity to make those connections is so special to me,” said Villa.

What she likes most about the UNC Center for Urban Education is the flexibility. “As a full-time working mom, I don’t feel overwhelmed while attending the Center and completing my classes,” she said.

A fun fact about Villa is that she has a seven-year-old daughter in second grade. “She is my motivation for everything I accomplish,” Villa said.

Luis Natal

New student Luis Natal is a transplant from the East Coast and has spent all eight of his years in Colorado at working at Arkansas Elementary in Aurora Public Schools.

Natal said he has always loved kids, and the support of the staff and community at Arkansas Elementary made this the right time to pursue teaching. “Kids are so precious, and I feel like they keep me young,” he said. “They keep me on my toes, they make me laugh, and let’s not forget how adorable they are.” Natal said he still remembers the days of raising his own young kids and is ready to give back, with his sights set on teaching kindergarten through second grade.

Natal said he appreciates that the professors at the Center for Urban Education are down to earth and genuinely care about what they teach. “They also respect what you have going on outside of the classroom,” he said.

A fun fact about Natal is that he’s 45 years old with 10 grandkids.

A warm welcome from CUE Director, Dr. Rosanne Fulton

“On behalf of the CUE faculty, we are fortunate to have this opportunity to work with each of our new teacher candidates and support each of them on their path to becoming world-class teachers,” said Fulton.