Meet our Team
Our team of Alternative Licensure Instructors (ALIs) and education professionals are ready to share their real experience and guide you towards your goal every step of the way.
Together we offer over 60 years of experience as professional learning leaders and educators and have built a learning community that mentors and empowers new teachers towards a successful teaching career built upon culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices.
Chelsey Klassen PhD
Instructor
- Extended Studies
- Extended Studies
After teaching, coaching, and leading in K-12 schools for almost a decade Chelsey joined CU Denver as an instructor in the ASPIRE to Teach and Curriculum and Instruction MA program. She loves working with and supporting teachers as they navigate the joys and challenges of being a first year teacher. Additionally, her background in teaching and research is with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students, and specifically students labeled "Long Term English Learners".
Areas of Expertise
- Secondary Education - Humanities & ELD
- Teacher Prep & Coaching & Professional Development
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
- Language Planning and Policy
- Critical Pedagogy
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- PhD Education and Human Development with a Critical Studies concentration, CU Denver, 2022
- MA in Curriculum & Instruction, CU Denver, 2018
- BA in International Studies, MSU Denver, 2013
- Professional Teaching License, K-12 ELA and SS, 2016- Present
ASPIRE has been so supportive through my whole first year of teaching. I have had so many questions and issues come up and I know I can count on my ASPIRE Instructors to be there. They are supportive and always make sure that they are there to answer all of my questions. - Kiwi , ASPIRE Candidate