In the ever-evolving landscape of education, professional development is crucial for educators who seek to enhance their teaching skills, make teaching a sustainable career, and best meet the needs of their students. COpilot, CEA’s online professional development platform, is at the forefront of this effort, offering a diverse range of courses designed by educators, for educators. Behind the success of these courses are dedicated facilitators who bring their unique experiences, passion, and expertise to their classes. Here, we spotlight three of COpilot’s outstanding facilitators: Katie Guerrero, Elissa Brost, and Edmond Bedu-Annan, who each share their journey into education and their love for teaching through COpilot.
KATIE GUERRERO: A LEGACY OF LEARNING
Katie Guerrero’s journey as a COpilot facilitator began in January 2024, but her connection to education runs deep. With a family legacy of educators—grandparents, parents, aunts, and even her brother— teaching seemed almost inevitable. However, Katie initially resisted following in her family’s footsteps. “I didn’t want to become a teacher at first,” Katie admits, recalling her undergraduate years. “But after realizing I was choosing to work with children in all of my part-time jobs in college, I couldn’t imagine a different career path.” Her passion for education grew, and with 20 years of experience as an educator, she saw COpilot as an opportunity to share her wealth of knowledge with others. “I really enjoyed the content of the classes and the flexibility provided for my continuing education,” she explains. Now, as a facilitator and a proud member of the Cherry Creek Education Association, Katie continues to inspire fellow educators while enjoying her free time outdoors with her children, embracing activities like hiking, rafting, and attending live music events.
ELISSA BROST: MERGING TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION
For Elissa Brost, a member of the Colorado Springs Education Association, COpilot became a platform to merge her background in technology with her passion for teaching. Starting as a facilitator during the pandemic in 2020, Elissa was asked to help fellow educators navigate the challenges of remote learning. Her unique blend of skills—honed as an analyst and database developer—quickly became invaluable. “I love helping other teachers learn ways to intentionally and powerfully integrate tech into their teaching,” Elissa shares. Her courses, focusing on tech-based and integrated learning, have become a staple on the COpilot platform. Although Elissa initially veered away from a teaching career due to concerns about financial stability, her love for education eventually drew her back. “I absolutely love being an educator and know this is where I should’ve always been,” she reflects. When she’s not facilitating COpilot classes, Elissa, her husband, and their children can often be found exploring national parks, hiking, skiing, or enjoying a good book.
EDMOND BEDU-ANNAN: A MISSION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
For Edmond Bedu-Annan, a proud member of the District Twelve Education Association, facilitating COpilot courses is an extension of his life mission: to positively impact the lives of those he encounters. Although he’s new to the COpilot platform, having started as a facilitator in the spring of 2024, Edmond has already made a significant impact. “I had a few class ideas in mind that I thought fellow educators would enjoy, and it’s been a great success so far!” Edmond enthuses. His enthusiasm is contagious, and the positive feedback from participants in his classes is a testament to his ability to connect with and inspire his peers. With a decade of experience as an educator, Edmond’s passion for teaching is clear. “The past 10 years have been great working with students, and I have genuinely enjoyed the relationships that I’ve made along the way,” he says. Outside of the classroom, Edmond is a man of many interests, from making videos and learning new languages to traveling the world and exploring new restaurants.
YOUR PATH TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH BEGINS HERE
COpilot thrives because of educators like Katie, Elissa, and Edmond, who bring their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and enthusiasm to the platform. Their stories reflect the dedication of all COpilot facilitators who are committed to providing high-quality professional development that empowers educators across Colorado.
Learn more about classes we offer and enroll today! ceacopilot.org
By Sydney Slifka, CEA Director of Digital Communications
*This article was originally published in the Fall 2024 CEAjournal.