For some, it was growing up surrounded by music. For others, it was a desire to give back to their community or to help students feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Those motivations were among the stories graduating seniors shared during the Teacher Education Professional Exhibition, held Thursday in the Ballroom at Fort Lewis College’s Student Union.
The Fall 2025 exhibition marked the culmination of a semester of full-time student teaching and internships, with teacher candidates reflecting on their growth, classroom experiences, and reasons for entering the profession. Throughout the event, students spoke candidly about the moments — both challenging and transformative — that shaped them as educators.
“This is the culminating presentation for our teacher education students,” said Chiara Cannella, interim dean of the School of Education. “They’ve been in classrooms from early morning until late afternoon for 15 to 17 weeks. This is where they reflect on their growth, share evidence of student learning, and articulate who they are becoming as teachers.”
Students represented a wide range of disciplines, including elementary education, secondary English, art education, music education, early childhood education, and educational studies. Several speakers emphasized the power of creativity, collaboration, and community in their classrooms.
Music education major Stephanie Pabst described teaching as a shared responsibility that extends beyond the music itself. “Every single person in that room matters,” said Pabst, who taught music at Needham Elementary and Durango High School. “When one student plays their part, it changes the sound for everyone else.”
The exhibition also highlighted Fort Lewis College’s deep ties to regional schools and alumni educators. Among those in attendance was Rashina Billie, an FLC alumna who last year won the national Milliken Teaching Award —a national teaching award last year often referred to as the “Oscars of teaching.” Billie returned to campus to support Alisha Wilson, a December 2025 graduate who completed her student teaching in Billie's classroom at Kirtland Elementary.
“For me, seeing someone from my hometown who went to the same schools and is now doing this work at such a high level was really powerful,” Wilson said. “It helped me see what’s possible and where I could be one day.”
Billie, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fort Lewis College, said mentoring future teachers is a way to give back. “Education is always changing,” she said. “I love learning from new teachers and supporting them as they bring fresh ideas into the classroom.”
Mary Rubadeau, a member of the Board of Trustees said she never misses the opportunity to attend the event. Rubadeau spent 40 years as an educator before retiring and joining the board.
“I just have so much respect and love to see these new, energetic, out-of-the-gate teachers. I'm so proud of them,” she said.
Raylen Atencio said shortly after starting her teaching experience at Ignacio Elementary she was recruited for a full-time position there, where she’ll be working moving forward as well.
Several students have already accepted teaching positions, added Cannella, which she said reflects the program’s strength and community partnerships. This program has a long track record of preparing classroom-ready teachers who are happy to return to support the next generation.
“We see alum return as colleagues and mentors, which speaks volumes about the impact of the program,” she said.
The Teacher Education Professional Exhibition is held each semester and celebrates Fort Lewis College’s commitment to preparing reflective, community-centered educators ready to serve classrooms across the region.