Samanta Chumacero

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Samanta Chumacero

Lecturer - K-12 Physical Education

Secondary, K-12 and Educational Technology

Office Hours

Mondays 2:30 - 4:30 and Thursdays 8:30 - 10:30

Biography

I am a bilingual educator and lecturer with over 15 years of experience in K–12 physical education. I immigrated from Mexico City and was raised in Colorado, where growing up in a family of educators inspired my passion for teaching and learning. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2008 and completed my master’s degree at the University of Colorado Denver in 2025.

My work focuses on physical education curriculum development and implementation, dual language education, and student success, with an emphasis on creating inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments. I am especially passionate about expanding access to education for immigrant and multilingual students, and I strive to prepare future educators to effectively support diverse learners.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, eating good food, traveling, and being with my family, including my dog, Roscoe.

Research Interests

    Student success, mentoring best practices, ELD and CLDE, immigration, supporting multilingual students in K-12 and higher education, Latine student success, Latina athletes and participation in physical activity/education

Teaching Interests

    My teaching is rooted in a commitment to equity, access, and student-centered learning. As a bilingual educator and lecture, I strive to prepare future teachers to meet the diverse needs of K–12 students through culturally humble, inclusive, and trauma-informed practices. With experience across both K–12 and higher education, I recognize that students bring valuable lived experiences into the classroom, and I view those experiences as essential assets in the learning process.

    I believe that effective teaching requires more than content knowledge. It requires building meaningful relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and actively working to remove barriers that impact student success. My approach emphasizes mentorship, scaffolded instruction, and real-world application, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. I aim to model instructional practices that future educators can use to create supportive, engaging environments where all students can thrive.

    Ultimately, my goal is to empower my students to become advocates for equity in education. I encourage critical reflection, community-centered thinking, and a commitment to lifelong learning so that they are prepared to support not only academic success, but also the holistic well-being of every student they serve.

Education

MA in Learning Design and Technology

University of Colorado Denver

Other in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

Regis University

BS in K-12 Physical Education Teacher Licensure - Human Performance and Sport

Metropolitan State University of Denver