Professional Positions
Teacher on Special Assignment | Department of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Division of Learning Services
Thompson School District - Loveland, CO | August 2024 - Present
Thompson School District is one of Northern Colorado's largest and most diverse public school districts, serving approximately 15,000 students across multiple communities, including Loveland, Berthoud, and parts of Fort Collins and Johnstown. The district operates over 30 schools, ranging from elementary to high school, as well as charter and alternative education options, all committed to providing a comprehensive K-12 education. With a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion, the district offers a wide array of academic programs, including Advanced Placement, Career and Technical Education, and personalized learning initiatives. Thompson School District is recognized for its robust community engagement, strategic investments in facilities, and a continuous focus on improving student outcomes through innovative educational practices.
Developed and implemented district-wide initiatives to promote inclusive practices and reduce achievement gaps, directly impacting over 15,000 students in diverse communities.
Collaborated with school leadership and educators to design and deliver professional development programs focused on equity and culturally responsive teaching strategies.
Led data-driven analyses and assessments to identify disparities in student outcomes, providing actionable insights and recommendations to enhance educational equity across the district.
Teaching Assistant - School of Education and Human Development
University of Colorado Denver - Denver, CO | January 2024 - Present
Areas of emphasis include the Educational Foundations (EDUC), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE), and Leadership in Educational Organizations (LEO).
Develops multi-tired and scaffolded material for college level students in collaboration with the instructor of record.
Provides timely and structured feedback for students that is engaging and promotes their academic and professional development as it pertains to their scholarly/career interests.
Engages and leverages the cultural capital that students bring to coursework to heighten the cross-empathetic understanding of stakeholders across the system.
Associate Director of Bands | Performing Arts Department - Fort Collins High School
Poudre School District - Fort Collins, CO | August 2021 - July 2024
Fort Collins High School is a 5A, 9-12 comprehensive high school with an enrollment of just over 2,000 students. The Performing Arts Department (Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Theatre) is the largest in the district, and one of the largest in the state, with a cross-departmental enrollment of 800 students. All areas are highly acclaimed in the state and throughout the country achieving marks and awards at peak levels for each specialization. The department also features the largest and most diverse selection of music curricula in the locale with multiple opportunities for access and participation.
Collaborated and promoted a culture of inclusion and innovation among colleagues in the creation of new music course offerings, redesigning current curriculum, and seeking out professional development.
Aided in the high-level of achievement of students both in individual and ensemble representation at state-level festivals, competitions, and college auditions. Since appointment, new levels of accolades and performance achievement have been achieved at state festivals.
Leads and collaborates with colleagues and stakeholders across various levels of building and district systems to improve systemic processes and revise current protocols through committee participation and leadership.
Research Experience and Projects
Pathways2Teaching Research Project Assistant
Team Lead: Dr. Paula Gallegos | University of Colorado Denver - Denver, CO | January 2024 - Present
Qualitative data analyst around student surveys and transcripts regarding students’ perceptions of school and community engagement related to the Pathways2Teaching curriculum and course involvement.
Centers the narratives and experiences of Latine (Latino/a) and Black students in the Denver Metro area who have participated in Pathways2Teaching programs who have been historically underserved in school-community partnerships.
Co-writer and collaborator on the selection and development of an academic paper for submission to various educational research journals and academic conferences.
Academic Publications and Presentations
Academic Presentations
Gallegos, P., Stone, F., & Dutch, A. Raising up student voices: Methodological approaches in multicultural educational research. National Association for Multicultural Education. Anaheim, CA. November 2024.
Dutch, A. The educative double-bind: A case study on covert contradictions in practice, policy, and educational platitudes. American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Denver, CO. February 2024.
Dutch, A. The dynamics of power in the ensemble classroom. Washington Music Educators Association Conference. Yakima, WA. February 2024.
Dutch, A. Impacts on learning outcomes through student self-perception and agency in the rehearsal process in the secondary ensemble classroom. International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education 2023 Doctoral Pre-Conference. Oslo, Norway. July 2023.
Dutch, A. The dynamics of power in the ensemble classroom. Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/Conference. Colorado Springs, CO. January 2023.
Masters Thesis
Dutch, A. (2023). Information, disinformation, and misinformation in music education: The state of music education epistemology and its connection to Democracy in the United States. Eastern Washington University. Cheney, WA.
Undergraduate Honors Thesis
Dutch, A. (2020). Malakhi – A virtual recital experience and the pandemic-related implications for the technological advancement of the music performance space. Honors College, Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO.
Undergraduate Research Publications
Dutch, A. and Zimmerman, G. (2019). The doctor is out: Continuing education to improve patient care and health. Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Colorado State University. Fort Collins, CO.
Higher Education Professional Service and Leadership Positions
Editorial Board Member and Review - Midwest Journal of Education | 2024
Editorial Board President - Dr. Lisa Nieuwenhuizen
Conducted thorough, critical reviews of submitted manuscripts, ensuring adherence to journal standards and providing constructive feedback to support authors’ scholarly contributions.
Collaborated with fellow editorial board members to uphold the journal’s academic integrity and align publications with emerging trends in educational research and policy.
Evaluated manuscripts across a range of topics, including educational leadership, equity, and human capital development, contributing to the advancement of impactful educational scholarship in the Midwest region and beyond.
Public Education Professional Service and Leadership Positions
Conference Committee Member - Colorado Chapter of National Association for Multicultural Education (CO-NAME) | 2024
Collaborated with a diverse team to plan and execute a statewide conference focused on multicultural education and equity.
Assisted in the selection of keynote speakers and breakout sessions, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission to promote diversity and inclusion.
Facilitated networking opportunities and resource sharing among educators, community members, and advocates for multicultural education.
Committee Board Member - Teachers of Color and Allies (TOCA) Summit at the University of Colorado Boulder | 2024
Contributed to the development and organization of a summit aimed at empowering teachers of color and their allies within educational spaces.
Played a key role in coordinating logistics, including session planning, speaker outreach, and attendee engagement.
Supported the creation of a welcoming and inclusive environment for discussions on race, equity, and social justice in education.
Disciplinary Literacy in Music Committee Member | Poudre School District - Fort Collins, CO | 2024
Instructional leader for the music content area in PSD providing guidance on pedagogical and curricular procedures related to fostering the development of grade level literacy in the music domain. This team is a part of district-wide initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of and improving our students’ literacy- related learning outcomes.
Developed specific criteria that defines musical literacy and helps guide coherent curriculum that is commensurate with traditional grade level understandings of literacy (and PSD’s own curriculum).
Lead a team of peers in the development of a scope and sequence pertinent to the secondary (9- 12) grade level.
Collaborated with instructional coordinators and colleagues on translating and matching the new protocols with state developed standards of music competency.
Belonging and Inclusion in Music Committee Member | Poudre School District - Fort Collins, CO | 2023
Instructional leader for the music content area in PSD focused on facilitating policies and protocols towards ensuring elements of belonging and inclusion unique to the music domain such as access, representation, artistic expression, and real-world applicability. The committee is working towards developing the music-specific guidance and action plans towards meeting PSD’s district-wide strategic goal of increasing student mental healthfulness and belonging.
Developed specific criteria that defines inclusion and belonging in the music classroom to help guide student-centered practices and development of additional opportunities for access.
Lead a team of peers in the development of program and classroom protocols pertinent to the secondary (9-12) grade level.
Collaborated with a team of K-12 music colleagues on creating measures of student belonging and defining appropriate applications of such assessments towards short- and long-term content goals across the district.
AI Advisory Committee Member - Present Poudre School District | Fort Collins, CO | 2023
Music education expert as a part of a group of stakeholders who provided perspectives on the opportunities and implications of AI in educational habits, practices, and tools in PSD. The committee considers policy, curriculum, and pedagogical strategies that may be affected by the current advancements in AI technology as well as how such changes may impact and/or empower students’ learning and outcomes.
Provided guidance and input for district-level discussions of AI in teaching and learning as well as in technology platforms, tools, and systems.
Supported the creation of recommendations, guidance, policy, and procedures on responsible AI use in education, including the classroom setting.
Recommended and helped to curate resources for educators to support a shared understanding of AI tools, practices, and ethical and privacy considerations.
Peer Reviewer of Conference Proposals | American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education - Denver, CO | 2023
Academic leader as a part of the AACTE conference which meets annually and presents research on current practices and trends in the field of educator preparation towards the systemic reform and advancement of current collegiate and K-12 practices. There is a distinct focus on the inclusion of DEI and social justice initiatives towards creating a high-quality, retained, and student-centered teaching workforce.
Evaluated and considered 11 proposals from various scholars for inclusion into the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Critically reviewed materials in academic strands of Advancing Innovation and Impact; Resilient Leadership During Unprecedented Times; Education Policy and Advocacy in an Era of Inequality; Deepening the Impact of Education Research and Research to Practice; and Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Collaborated with distinguished academic practitioners as well as graduate students on utilizing current norms of academic review along with receiving training in the professional skill.
Staff Equity Coalition Member - Poudre School District | Fort Collins, CO | 2022 - Present
Engaged stakeholder and ally for facilitating the review and reform of policy and protocols towards the cultivation of inclusivity, diversity, and equity system-wide in PSD. The coalition is a cross-site collective of educators and staff representative of multiple populations and identity groups.
Participates in professional development and helps coordinate district-wide intellectual and skill development for willing champions of DEI.
Brainstorms with multiples levels of district stakeholders towards the purposeful development of organizational strategies around DEI practices that will simultaneously help the district meet its four priorities: Graduate with Options, Literacy, Mental Health and Belonging, and Safety.
Coordinates with colleagues to foster cultural inclusion with collaborative learning/planning and action.
Creates action plans that progress towards equitable outcomes for underrepresented groups in various facets of district operations.
Course Proposal Committee Member | Fort Collins High School - Fort Collins, CO | 2022 - Present
Content expert and curricular leader in the assessment and critical evaluation of courses at FCHS to help ensure the site is continuing to meet student needs while proactively addressing real-world applicability. The committee features representation from every curricular department and helps mediate internal disputes and course progressions.
Evaluates, alongside a cross-departmental team of colleagues, current and new courses in consideration of relevancy, rigor, and inclusion.
Provides equitable structure for all educators and departments to submit proposals for new courses.
Facilitates transparency and communication between building and district-level administration with educators towards representing the authentic needs of all students.
President of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education | Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO | 2019 - 2020
Champion and leader for high-quality undergraduate professional development and community service as a part of the teacher preparation program. The music education studio at CSU is one of the most successful (with a job placement rate of 97%), and NAfME serves as the peer support and governance structures of the student body.
Created and implemented on-site professional development clinics for the continuing education of undergraduate music education majors.
Communicated and worked with local northern Colorado music teachers and programs to provide service and outreach.
Coordinated events and delegated administrative tasks between faculty and a peer leadership team.
Grants and Scholarships
University of Colorado Denver
School of Education and Human Development Research Assistantship, 2023-24 ($5,000)
Fort Collins High School
DonorsChoose Colorado Grant Fund for Classroom Resources, 2023 ($4,000)
Concurrent Enrollment Accreditation Tuition Scholarship, 2022-23 (≅ $8,000)
Colorado State University
Award for Excellence in Original Undergraduate Research, Center for Undergraduate Research/Creativity, 2019
CSU Marching Band Leadership Stipend (Head Drum Major), 2019 ($3,500)
College of Music, Theatre, and Dance Studio Scholarship, 2019-2021 ($12,000)
Honors Scholarship, 2017-2021 ($8,000)
Merit Scholarship, 2017-2021 ($8,000)