Kaitlyn Casanas

Department of Teaching and Learning

Award for Alumni Excellence in Teaching

Kaitlyn is a graduate of UM's undergraduate teacher prep program (2018) and SPED master's program (2020). Kaitlyn demonstrates the highest level of creativity and caring in her approach to teaching. For example, she created a smoothie business with her students in the transition program at Southwest Sr high that provides her students with career training skills and opportunities for inclusive interactions with students and faculty. She also created an intramural sports opportunity (cheerleading) and supports her students' participation in the Special Olympics. Her excellence and dedication have been recognized with the MDCPS Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2019 and Teacher of the Year (2024) at Southwest Sr. Kaitlyn is one of those few "natural" teachers and she has continued to share and model her gift for teaching and love for her students with our UM community--mentoring dozens of our undergraduate pre-service teachers over the last few years.