Colorado Rural School Spotlight

Serving in the Nevada Legislature sparked Deanna’s interest in working with school districts, educators, and students. Today, she enjoys helping educators and students embrace STEAM while fostering a growth mindset, igniting creativity, and developing leadership and problem-solving skills. Deanna is a former STEM & Innovation Coach at FableVision Learning. She also facilitated the STEM and technology programs at a K-8 rural school. A highlight was innovating with her students and student mentor, Gitanjali Rao, Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year. Deanna is an independent certified leadership trainer, coach, speaker, and youth facilitator with Maxwell Leadership.

Paige Hahn grew up in Durango, Colorado. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Education from Fort Lewis College and later a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from American College of Education. Paige has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2012, teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade language arts and social studies. When she's not working with the amazing youth in the community, she can be found outdoors with her husband, daughter and dog exploring the nearby mountains and deserts.

Brandon Petersen is an admitted geek, pop culture junkie, and fan of things learning. He currently teaches 5th Grade at Woodland Elementary in the Cherry Creek School District and is looking forward to starting up their STEM program there next year. He currently serves as Board President for InnEdCO, Innovation Education Colorado, which is a local non profit that exists to inspire and sustain communities of innovative learners. In his free time, he is a huge Disney and Theme Park enthusiast with a goal to visit every Disney Park in the world while riding as many roller coasters as he can.

Autumn Rivera is a 6th grade science teacher at Glenwood Springs Middle School. She is the 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year and a National Finalist. She is also an adjunct professor at Colorado Mountain College in their education program.

Amanda Vaughn lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and teaches with Academy of Las Animas Online, after teaching in the brick and mortar Las Animas District for 6 years. She teaches Social Studies, and Theater online, and has taught Theater, ELA, Yearbook, Choir, Social Skills, and has done focused groups for behavioral intervention. Being a neurodiverse educator has been both a strength and has created awareness of the needs of our neurodiverse population. She has 2 cats, and has been married to her husband for 12 years.

Kim Zimmer is the co-Director of Learning & Innovation at Aspen School District in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As a content creator and teacher of technology, STEM, multimedia and design courses, Kim helps develop confidence and leadership abilities in students while creating pathways to future careers and interests. Kim has spent 15 years in the Educational Technology field and is excited to share the happenings in rural Colorado with attendees of ISTE!