Hello

My Story

Advocating for equity and inclusion is second nature for Tena. She believes that everyone has a right to be included in society, whether through individual behaviors or public policy, and has made this belief her life’s work. During her time as an IEP Facilitator with the Colorado Department of Education, Tena successfully partnered with teachers, parents, and students to develop comprehensive learning plans that met the unique academic and socio-emotional needs of each child throughout Colorado. Upon graduating the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) of Larimer County in 2015, Tena pursued becoming a credentialed FLTI facilitator and has worked as a Youth FLTI Facilitator in Larimer County since 2016. In 2017, Tena was invited to add her skills and expertise to the FLTI of Colorado Training Team as a Youth Facilitation Specialist. Tena is also a certified facilitator for Restorative Justice and enjoys working with the City of Fort Collins on restorative practices. Tena formally served as a Board Member for The Arc of Larimer County, an organization that advocates for the interests of individuals with disabilities; she is particularly active in her community around the issues of equitable and inclusive housing. Most recently, Tena has co-developed a regular podcast, Love and Inclusion in the Real World, in which she and her co-host Hettie explore issues of equity and inclusion in families, communities, schools, and other arenas. She strives to live by this quote by Lisa Friedman: “Inclusion is a mindset. It is a way of thinking. It is not a program that we run or a classroom in our school or a favor we do for someone. Inclusion is who we are. It is who we must strive to be.” Tena has 3 amazing boys her oldest Brady, has the attribute of Down syndrome and received services on an IEP. Dylan, her middle son, was born with the attribute of dyslexia and has a 504. Eli, her youngest, did not want to be shown up by his brothers and wanted to make sure the school had paperwork on him and he is on an ALP (Advanced Learning Plan). Having 3 boys with such different learning styles keeps Tena on her toes.