CDE Field Trips: 4/7/25: CDE pitches Rangeview High students on teaching profession

Hundreds of students packed the library at Aurora’s Rangeview High School for a recent job fair, where about three dozen organizations—from Southwest Airlines to the U.S. Army to the Aurora Fire Department—pitched potential career paths. As they explored the fair, students collected signatures on participation sheets to share with their career counselors.

One booth, hosted by Heather Grantham of the Colorado Department of Education, encouraged students to consider staying in school—not just as students, but as future educators. Grantham, an educator recruitment and retention specialist at CDE, asked visitors to her table if they had ever considered a career in teaching. Several students said yes and took home materials outlining the many pathways into the profession.

One of those students was Cam Peterson, a Rangeview High senior who plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to become a high school drama teacher. Teaching runs in her family—both her mother and sister are educators.

“The teachers in my life have influenced me a lot, especially in theater,” Cam said. “I’ve always had a passion for guiding people. And districts are always looking for teachers.”

Jayden McLennan, also 18, will attend Metropolitan State University of Denver this fall to pursue a degree in elementary education. As a Black man and current paraprofessional at AXL Academy in Aurora, he said he understands the importance of representation in the classroom.

“Kids like me need someone to look up to,” McLennan said.

For Grantham, moments like these are the most rewarding part of her job—connecting with students at job fairs and helping them see teaching as a meaningful and attainable career.