NHS Teacher Profile Teresa Ewing

Teresa Ewing's circuitous path to becoming a Niwot High School computer science teacher is unique and inspiring. She initially had a career in engineering, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Colorado.

Ewing started working as a software intern at NORAD in Colorado Springs but then took a position with a Finnish company, Vaisala, where she worked in wind-profiling radars, allowing her the exciting opportunity to install radars around the world. Later, she joined a small start-up, Boulder Nonlinear Systems which was acquired by Meadowlark Optics in 2023, dedicating 25 years to advancing liquid crystal adaptive optics devices.

Despite her successful career as an engineer, teaching was always in the back of Ewing's mind. The influence of her grandmother, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Wyoming and later in elementary schools across Kansas and Utah, along with her aunt, a special education (SPED) teacher, drove her passion for teaching.

In 2006, she began mentoring at Up-A-Creek Robotics in Longmont, where her dream of teaching came to life. This experience helped her realize that her true calling was in education, leading her to transition from engineering to teaching.

For Ewing, teaching Computer Science is a joy since her students are naturally drawn to the subject. "It's not a hard sell," she explained. She finds great fulfillment in helping students, particularly those who don't see themselves as "techy," discover that computer science can be accessible, enjoyable, and relevant.

Ewing had taught middle school at Flagstaff Charter Academy, appreciating the opportunity to introduce coding to students for the first time. However, she found her true passion teaching high school students in the Niwot community. She said she "loves the chaos, energy and drama of teenagers. They crack me up every day."

Beyond her technical skills, Ewing values the lasting relationships she forms with her students. She is dedicated to guiding them not only in their academic pursuits but also in their future careers and life choices. She takes pride in helping students who might feel disengaged or bored with school find their niche and connect with other like-minded peers, fostering a sense of community among them.

Beyond the classroom, Ewing is a proud mother and cherises the time she spends with her children, who despite having left the nest, remain her favorite people. Additionally, she is heavily involved with a local non-profit organization, the GEAR Alliance, the sponsor of Up-A-Creek Robotics, where she has played a pivotal role in its growth over the past 20 years.

Up-A-Creek Robotics started as a small after-school robotics team and is now nationally ranked, catering to students from fourth to 12th grade. Reflecting on her experience, she said, "It's been such a thrill to watch it grow from a tiny after school team into nationally ranked contenders." Ewing manages the business side of the organization, handling bookkeeping and helping to recruit both students and mentors.

Ewing takes much pride in the accomplishments of her students, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in the tech industry. She mentioned that "many of them are still in touch with me and it is so fun to hear about the fancy jobs they have and the impact they are having on the world."

She also witnessed significant strides in tech education within the St. Vrain Valley School District. When she first started, there was limited support for tech education, but over the years, she has seen substantial progress with more resources, better teacher education, and greater emphasis on STEM across all grade levels.

Her approach to overcoming challenges is shaped by her engineering background. She believes in tackling problems through iteration and maintaining a "spectacularly optimistic" outlook. She said, "Believe in your heart that all problems can be solved given enough time and resources, then it's just a matter of chipping away at them." Ewing applies this belief to both her teaching and her involvement in robotics.