Natalie is a Library Program Associate in the Early Learning Department at the Denver Public Library where she coordinates weekly play-based Spanish-language programming for 0-5 year olds and their families, and provides storytimes and early education trainings for families, caregivers and educators. She also manages the Books Around Town initiative in partnership with the Denver Preschool Program with the aim of providing access to books in the home for all Denver’s children.
Natalie has spent the last thirteen years working in education with children and youth throughout the United States, as well as in Costa Rica. Prior to beginning work with the Early Learning Department of Denver Public Library, she worked as an early elementary school teacher, teaching in both English and Spanish, as well as in social work serving teenaged youth in New Hampshire and Alaska. Natalie is passionate about educational and institutional equity, and through her work she strives to connect children, families, and educators with the opportunities and resources they're seeking, while also endeavoring to call into question any barriers to systemic equity within her organizations. She serves on Denver Public Library’s Challenging Inequities team. She is also a certified yoga and kids’ yoga instructor and is a member of Zero to Three’s Mindfulness in Early Childhood Education inaugural cohort. She is passionate about living mindfully and sharing mindfulness and its extensive benefits within her communities. She recently developed presentations on implementing mindfulness practices in early childhood classrooms and teaching through a trauma-informed lens, and has presented for Denver Public School’s Teal Day, the Colorado Shines professional development database, and the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference.
Natalie holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and Linguistics, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Spanish where she studied Indigenous language revitalization practices in Peru from the grassroots community to governmental level.
Natalie has spent the last thirteen years working in education with children and youth throughout the United States, as well as in Costa Rica. Prior to beginning work with the Early Learning Department of Denver Public Library, she worked as an early elementary school teacher, teaching in both English and Spanish, as well as in social work serving teenaged youth in New Hampshire and Alaska. Natalie is passionate about educational and institutional equity, and through her work she strives to connect children, families, and educators with the opportunities and resources they're seeking, while also endeavoring to call into question any barriers to systemic equity within her organizations. She serves on Denver Public Library’s Challenging Inequities team. She is also a certified yoga and kids’ yoga instructor and is a member of Zero to Three’s Mindfulness in Early Childhood Education inaugural cohort. She is passionate about living mindfully and sharing mindfulness and its extensive benefits within her communities. She recently developed presentations on implementing mindfulness practices in early childhood classrooms and teaching through a trauma-informed lens, and has presented for Denver Public School’s Teal Day, the Colorado Shines professional development database, and the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference.
Natalie holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and Linguistics, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Spanish where she studied Indigenous language revitalization practices in Peru from the grassroots community to governmental level.