Like mother, like daughter. 

“My mom is my biggest motivator, my biggest cheerleader, she is pretty much everything,” Sangre de Cristo middle school science teacher Lauren McKinney said of her mother, Chrissy. “I grew up with her teaching in the school and coaching, and watching her do that, I never wanted to do it myself because I saw the heartache she went through.” 

But she did become a teacher like her mom, and now together they teach for Sangre de Cristo Schools. This week they were both in for a surprise when School of Education Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., and his colleagues and staff from the Adams State School of Education showed up in Mosca. 

Lauren McKinney was presented with the Adams State Educator Highlight Award for her work in the science classroom. Her mom, Chrissy, was instrumental in establishing the award before she departed Adams State a school year ago to re-enter the classroom at Sangre. When she realized a student assembly had been called so Dr. Garcia could surprise Lauren with the award, momma bear McKinney was beyond elated herself. 

“As I grew older, I was able to see the lives she impacted and I thought that was so special and I wanted to do the same thing,” Lauren McKinney said of her mother’s influence. 

McKinney has been teaching at Sangre the past two years and said the award reflects the legacy of outstanding teachers at the school. 

“It’s a little bit of organized chaos,” she said in describing her approach to middle school science. “I love whenever students can learn through inquiry because that allows them to not only discover science but discover themselves. As middle schoolers, that is super important.” 

Each month Adams State recognizes an educator from around the Valley through its Educator Highlight Award. Dr. Garcia and School of Education staff look for nominations from community members and the schools. 

To make a nomination of your favorite teacher, or school administrator, or even the custodian and cafeteria worker in your school, email Paul Clark at pclark@adams.edu. 

The Educator Highlight Award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators