The power of being seen: Melissa Braaten on teaching, equity, and impact
Meet Melissa Braaten, an associate professor focusing on science education and teachers' learning and the new Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Teacher Education. Braaten has been at ·¬şĹżâapp since 2016, and before that, she was on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin and taught grades 5th through 12th for more than 14 years.
Braaten knew that she wanted to be a science teacher right away in college.
“I was motivated to be a teacher because I appreciated how my own teachers created learning experiences that helped me to expand my horizons, and I wanted to be a person who could do that for another generation of students.”
She notes that once she began teaching, she became deeply aware of the inequities and injustices that are a part of our society and schools. Her main focus as a teacher, teacher educator, and scholar is to work to change structures and build a more equitable and just world.
When considering what kinds of impact her own teachers had on her life, Dr. Braatan noticed one common thread: “Teachers who really recognized something specific in who I am and then connected some aspect of school to my life were the teachers who made a big impact.”
Braaten recalls her middle school literature teacher letting her choose books written by women focusing on women’s rights, and her high school government teacher intentionally making flawed human rights policies in model UN projects knowing that she would find the flaws and fight them.
“Each of these teachers took moments to know me, see me, and let me know that they heard me,” she said. “It mattered a lot for expanding my horizons. I'm still in touch with many of those teachers!”
Braaten is poised to be that kind of mentor for her students in teacher learning and STEM education programs at ·¬şĹżâapp. Get to know more about Braaten and her passions inside and outside the School of Education here.
In her own words:
Can you recall a time when you felt proud of your decision to become a teacher?
 “My most proud moments come from seeing my own former students as they flourish and find their paths in life. I felt very proud as a teacher in Texas when I was able to stand alongside my students as they created a Gay-Straight Alliance and fought against the school district's policy banning such student organizations. I felt proud when I worked with formerly incarcerated youth in South Seattle who persevered and insisted on their right to a high-quality education. I've never cheered so loudly as I cheered at the graduations where youth and their families celebrated walking across that stage. Those are the moments that make me most proud to be a teacher.”
What do you like to do during your free time?
 “I love to go camping and hiking with my partner, Nate, so Colorado is the perfect place for us! We also like to spend time with friends where we live in Denver. We love to cook and eat together with our neighbors. We are big sports fans so we always try to go to soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey games supporting Denver teams.”
What’s one thing you’re willing to spend way too much on?
“I'm willing to spend way too much for tickets to a Denver Nuggets game!”