Lisa Bertoson

My career counselor in college suggested I try tutoring because I always loved helping people and community service. I was very shy and expressed concern about being in front of groups, but once I tried tutoring, I loved it and was able to overcome my fear because I felt so passionately about teaching. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Biology with a specialization in education from Humboldt State University, then my teaching credential from CSU San Marcos, and earned an additional certificate in teaching gifted and talented children from UCSD. I started teaching high school biology and loved it deeply, but during district layoffs in San Diego, I was let go. Someone in the district saw a middle school position and urged me to apply. It took a couple years to transition because middle schoolers are different, but I grew to love them. I still felt pulled toward high school because I wanted to teach science deeper than middle school level, but then my principal asked me to coordinate a new STEAM program. In our first year, we got an award for how good the program was. That's when I realized that even though I had fought going into administration so hard because I love teaching, if I went that route I could help more students and have a bigger impact. After moving to Colorado, I taught an engineering class for 4-5 years, but after my STEAM coordinator experience, it didn't give me the same satisfaction. I switched to higher education where I work with underrepresented students who are often first generation, low income, or disabled. I really like my current position because I work one-on-one with students, getting at least an hour or two per semester with each one. It gives me a better understanding of where they're coming from, how I can help them, and what supports and other departments I can connect them to.