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Monthly Workshop Series
As part of the Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program’s leadership initiatives, Cumbres hosts monthly workshops focused on fostering student growth and engagement. This month’s Cumbres Leadership Series will take place on Tuesday, February 10, at 6:00 p.m.
Attendance is mandatory for all first-year Cumbres students. All active Cumbres members are also welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.
The session will be led by Keith Humphrey, UNC Vice President for Student Affairs, and Colleen Sonnentag, AVP and Dean of Student Development. Their presentation, “Resources for Student Support,” will explore key leadership insights and highlight campus resources designed to support student success.
Cumbres Leadership Workshop Series – March 24 at 6:00 p.m.
The second Cumbres Leadership Series event of Spring 2026 will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. in McKee Hall 223. This workshop is mandatory for all first-year Cumbres students. All active Cumbres members are also welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.
The session will be led by Dr. Matt Farber, Associate Professor of Educational Technology, and Dr. Will Merchant, Associate Professor of Applied Statistics and Research Methods (SRM) in the College of Education at UNC.
Presentation Title: “Games, Literacy, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)”
Session Description: In this immersive workshop, participants will explore innovative strategies for integrating games into classroom instruction to strengthen reading skills and support social-emotional learning (SEL). Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, you will discover practical approaches that make learning both engaging and emotionally meaningful for students.
About the Speakers:
Matthew Farber, Ed.D. is an associate professor of educational technology at the University of Northern Colorado. He is a play theorist, researcher, and the co-director of the Gaming SEL Lab. Dr. Farber also writes for Edutopia, is the author of several books and papers, and has collaborated with organizations, such as UNESCO and Games for Change.
Will Merchant, Ph.D., is an associate professor of applied statistics and research methods at the University of Northern Colorado. He is a methodologist, evaluator, and co-director of the Gaming SEL Lab. Dr. Merchant’s work focuses on the intersection of social and emotional learning, game-based education, and program evaluation. He has led and collaborated on funded research initiatives across K–12 and higher education settings and partners with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies to design and evaluate innovative educational programs.
Cumbres Leadership Workshop Series – April 14 at 6:00 p.m.
The third and final Cumbres Leadership Series event of Spring 2026 will take place on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. in McKee Hall 223. This workshop is mandatory for all first-year Cumbres students. All active Cumbres members are also welcome and strongly encouraged to attend.
The session will be led by Dr. Jody Lawrence, UNC Associate Professor and Elementary Field Experience Coordinator in the School of Teacher Education (STE).
Presentation Title: “Listen Up! The Secret Skill of Great Teachers”
Session Description: Everyone’s talking—but who’s listening? Great teaching begins with truly hearing students and choosing words that connect rather than correct. This session explores how intentional listening shapes what we say and how students learn.
About the Speaker: Jody Lawrence, Ph.D., joined the University of Northern Colorado in 2006 and is an Associate Professor and Elementary Field Experience Program Coordinator. She teaches literacy instruction for elementary teachers and specializes in writer’s workshop and teacher preparation. Her work focuses on the interpersonal relationships between teachers and students and the creation of safe, culturally responsive learning environments.
Congratulations to Our Recent Graduates!
Cumbres Alumni
Congratulations to all of our December 2025 Graduates
Pictured left to right: Stefani Serrano Moreno (left) and Isa Schulte (right)
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Aldo Romero, Ph.D.
Director Cumbres Program