Learn more about Cheyenne Verano, a student in the UO Teach Curriculum and Teaching program
Quick Facts
Hometown: Springfield, Oregon
Favorite books or movies: 50 First Dates, The Proposal, any of the Marvel Movies
Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, traveling
Favorite place in Eugene: Prince Puckler’s and Spencer Butte Park
Why did you choose the UOTeach Program?
I believe UOTeach has a handful of the best instructors that cultivate an environment for learning, growth, and fostering a sense of development not just academically but personal development. I went through the Educational Foundations at the University of Oregon for my undergraduate program, and I knew that UOTeach was going to feel like home because that’s how the EDF program felt.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in the education field?
I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and that purpose for mine was to teach. Growing up I had many teachers that inspired me to become an educator. Immigrating to the U.S. was scary and not knowing English was even more terrifying. But the educators that were in my life made me feel welcomed and made me feel seen as a human being. They instilled a sense of belonging and empowerment within me.
Representation also matters to me because it ties in with identity. I didn’t see myself in books, media, the teachers within my schools, or as part of the discussions in the classroom. This left me not understanding that my identity mattered, so it’s important to me that my future students have an environment where they can see themselves in books, media, and discussions. I hope to foster that sense of representation in my classroom.
What are you looking forward to most this academic year?
I look forward to being in the classrooms and getting to learn teaching styles. We have talked a lot about what discussions we can have in the classroom, what a classroom can look like, what students will we have, and what content we will teach, but I am looking forward to finding out who I am as a student-teacher within the classroom.
What do you hope to teach after graduating?
I hope to teach kindergarten or 1st grade.
What impact do you hope to make in your future career as an educator?
I hope the impact I have on my future students is positive in ways that they can walk away with a sense of confidence, feel they are supported, have an enriched knowledge of the materials, and know they belong in my classroom. The impact my past teachers have had on me has helped me to become the person I am today. I hope I can give my students that same gift of love and joy.