Amy Graefe

Faculty

Associate Professor

Email amy.graefe@unco.edu
Phone 970-351-1674
Location McKee 44B
A portrait of Amy Graefe.

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado, Educational Psychology with Emphasis in Gifted Education
  • Ed.S., University of Northern Colorado, Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure
  • M.A., University of Northern Colorado, Special Education: P-12 Gifted Education
  • B.S., Pittsburg State University, K-9 Education
  • A.A., Coffeyville Community College

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • 2022-present, Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2017-2022, Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2008-2017, Adjunct Professor and Program Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado
  • 1996-2017, K-12 Educator, Library-Media Specialist, and Gifted Education Specialist, Greeley, CO
  • 1994-1995, Elementary Library-Media Specialist, Coffeyville, KS

Research Expertise & Interests

  • Underserved gifted learners
  • Gifted education at the secondary level
  • Creativity

Publications

  • Graefe, A. (2024). Gifted high school students’ perceptions of the impact of classroom power dynamics on motivation and empowerment. Journal of Advanced Academics.
  • Graefe, A., Omdal, S. (2022). Investing in creativity in students: The long and short (term) of it. In Plucker, J. A. (Ed.), Creativity and innovation: Theory, research, and practice (2nd ed.). London: Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Ritchotte, J., Lee, C., Graefe, A. (2020). Start seeing and serving underserved gifted students: 50 strategies for equity and excellence (pp. 176). Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.
  • Ritchotte, J., Lee, C.-W., Graefe, A. (2019). Professional learning strategies for teachers of underachieving gifted learners. In C. Weber & A. Novak (Ed.), Professional learning and teacher preparation in gifted education: Professional development strategies for special topics (pp. 89-111). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
  • Graefe, A., Ritchotte, J. (2019). An exploration of factors that predict Advanced Placement exam success for gifted Hispanic students. Journal of Advanced Academics, 30(4), 441-462.. DOI: 10.1177/1932202X1985319
  • Mann, E. L., Chamberlin, S. A., & Graefe, A. K.  (2017). The prominence of affect in creativity. In R. Leikin & B. Sriraman, (Eds), Creativity and giftedness: Interdisciplinary perspectives from mathematics and beyond (pp. 57-73). New York, NY: Springer.
  • Omdal, S. N., & Graefe, A. K. (2017). Investing in creativity in students: The long and short (term) of it. In J. A. Plucker (Ed.), Creativity and innovation: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 205-221). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
  • Ritchotte, J. A., & Graefe, A. K. (2017). An alternate path: The experience of high-potential individuals who left school. Gifted Child Quarterly, 6(4), 275-289. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986217722615
  • Ritchotte, J. A., & Graefe, A. K. (2017). The progression of less support: Why gifted students drop out. Vision Magazine, 28(2), 14-15.
  • Ritchotte, J. A., Suhr, D, Alfurayh, N., & Graefe, A. K. (2016). An exploration of the psychosocial characteristics of high achieving students and identified gifted students: Implications for practice. Journal of Advanced Academics, 27, 23-38.

Honors & Awards

  • 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented
  • 2021 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Excellence in Diversity and Equity Award
  • 2020 Texas Association for Gifted and Talented Book of the Year in Educator Category, Texas Association for Gifted and Talented
  • 2018 Co-Authored Chapter in National Association for Gifted Children Book of the Year, National Association for Gifted Children
  • 2017 Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2014 Lighthouse Project Award, Colorado Department of Education
  • 2007 Regional Teacher of Year, OfficeMax
  • 2006 Nominated for: Teacher of the Year, Weld County School District Six
  • 2005 Kathy McKean Freedom Award, Kathy McKean Foundation
  • 2002 Nominated for: Teacher of the Year, Weld County School District Six
  • 2001 Nominated for: Teacher of the Year, Weld County School District Six