Meet Tiffanie Becher | Gifted & Talented Specialist, Mom, Wife

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffanie Becher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffanie, what are you inspired by?
As cliché as it sounds, I am inspired by my kids. But not just the two I birthed, also the hundreds I work with each school year. Today’s youth show a tenacity that far outweighs that of generations before them. Sure, they have more conveniences at their fingertips, but it is those resources that can also cause chaos within their lives. So many of the students I work with come from places of struggle and insecurities, the fact that they show up on a daily basis and face those challenges is what sets them apart from others. My own two children show me daily how even the smallest of influences can have a big change in their lives. It is these amazing young humans who inspire me to become a better version of myself then I was the day before.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been working in education for almost 15 years now, serving in a number of different capacities. I started out with littles, working in preschools and moving into kindergarten teaching. It is crazy to see those little ones now getting ready to or already have graduated high school. I really don’t feel like it has been long enough for that to be a reality. I have moved around between a few districts and a handful of positions, loving each of them for different reasons. After working as a middle/high school science teacher I realized I really enjoyed working with secondary age students, even during the middle school years. I found myself in my current position as a gifted and talented specialist almost 5 years ago now and can’t be more thankful. It really was a fluke that this position came to my attention, a glitch in the computer system put my name in for a job I did not apply for, but really it was a blessing in disguise. Working with high achieving students has pushed me to be a better educator. Learning to work with students who grasp concepts quickly and can do complex math in their heads, it is a never ending learning curve for me. I also love working with teachers and planning ways to keep students fully engaged in their learning, and finding resources to send to parents so they are helping meet those needs at home as well. I have spent a lot of time this year with seniors exploring different colleges and trade schools and learning what exactly it takes to become a professional in so many different career fields. On top of that I was also lucky enough to help coach the Unified Bowling team. There really is nothing better than going bowling with a group of individuals who could really care less what their score is, and worry more about having fun and being with friends. I am certainly honored they chose me and are letting me come back to coach next year. When thinking about what got me to where I am and where I continue to aspire to be, I will say the pure joy of seeing the learning happening. There really is nothing better than witnessing the exact moment an individual finally understands and can apply that new knowledge. Building relationships with my students and getting to live those moments is a driving force behind keeping me coming back on a daily basis and pushing me to be a better version of myself. I can’t imagine not working with kids, even through the years that have teachers leaving the profession all together. It is hard, there are moments where I often ask myself exactly why I am doing this, knowing the stress would be less if I were to change lanes completely. But I know I wouldn’t be happy, and certainly wouldn’t feel fulfilled, this really is what keeps me going and pushing through the tough days. I wouldn’t say there is anything that sets me apart from other educations, this is a profession that requires everyone to work together, and I have the privilege of working with AMAZING individuals who are top notch at what they do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would hope my friend was visiting during the summer, so many of the things I love doing happen between May to October. I would be sure we took a hike through the Devil’s Backbone, the views are breathtaking, it won’t cause you to regret life for days after and you get to experience nature without driving for hours. We would take in a rodeo at the Greeley Stampede, eating food truck food and listening to the live music of the free stage afterwards. I would make sure we got up in the mornings to walk the Poudre River Trail that runs through Greeley and beyond. My favorite starting point is easily off of 71st Ave, absolutely beautiful, offering hours of serenity and exploration. We would have dinner and drinks at Coyote’s Southwestern Grill out on the patio one night for sure. Another night we would pick up dinner from Roma’s and go sit at Crabtree Brewery, enjoying the laidback atmosphere and great brews. I would also ensure we spent one evening in my backyard! I back up to an open space in the middle of town, it is peaceful and offers great views, and who would complain when we can fix s’mores while listening to the wildlife. We would catch a baseball or softball game to see my kids in action, bowl a few games at Highland Park Lanes and go downtown on a Friday night for Friday Fest. So many great things to do that a week may not be long enough.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost my grandmother deserves this shoutout. It was because of her support and encouragement that I got out and embraced all that life can offer. My husband Brandin has been by my side through all of my schooling,
pushing me to do what makes me happy and never telling me no. He not only supports my career aspirations, but also makes an amazing spouse and partner, helping raise two amazing humans who call me mom. There have been a handful of coworkers, teammates and parents who have encouraged me to continue in this direction, giving me green light that I found my niche.