Best of Colorado Award - Outstanding Site Staff Member...Sarah Rostamo!

Nominated February 12th, 2026

Sarah Rostamo is being nominated for Outstanding Site Staff Member because she consistently strengthens both the daily experience of youth and the structural quality of programming across multiple sites. Her impact is felt in the studio, among her colleagues, and in the long-term growth of the program itself.

As the lead instructor for most weekday classes at one location, she builds strong, authentic relationships with youth. Students gravitate toward her, often requesting her for additional experiences such as art-themed celebrations. She takes time to understand each young person’s interests and goals and intentionally designs learning experiences that allow for flexibility, agency, and autonomy. Youth are not simply completing projects; they are developing voice, confidence, and the ability to think like artists. Her calm, steady presence creates a space where students feel safe to experiment, take risks, and make mistakes. She models vulnerability by openly sharing her own mistakes, reinforcing that growth and persistence are part of the creative process.

Beyond her direct work with students, Sarah contributes significantly to the overall success of the program through instructional design across two campuses. She develops comprehensive course plans that align youth development best practices with engaging, accessible activities rooted in the Studio Habits of Mind. Her thoughtful planning ensures consistency in quality while still allowing individual instructors to bring their unique strengths and personalities into the classroom. This balance has been especially critical during a recent expansion, where maintaining program integrity across locations required both vision and collaboration.

Sarah also elevates her colleagues through structured after-class reflections and proactive review sessions before each term begins. By sharing insights, refining materials, and inviting feedback, she fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Her openness to feedback has strengthened team cohesion and broadened the range of perspectives reflected in programming. When instructors have questions about curriculum or implementation, she provides steady, informed support, ensuring that all staff feel equipped and confident.

Through her leadership, relational depth, and commitment to reflective practice, Sarah has helped create a positive, supportive environment where both youth and staff thrive. Her influence extends beyond a single classroom, shaping the quality and sustainability of the entire out-of-school-time program.

A significant accomplishment led by this nominee has been the evolution and formalization of instructional design across two out-of-school-time sites during a period of ownership transition and expansion.

Prior to this shift, programming operated successfully within a single location, but instructional planning was more directive in structure and varied in clarity from course to course. As leadership transitioned, Sarah was intentionally invited to step into a more collaborative role in shaping systems that would strengthen consistency, clarity, and alignment with the Studio Habits of Mind. She embraced this responsibility not only as a lead instructor, but as a contributor to program-wide improvement.

As expansion to a second location approached, she was asked to design consistent programming that could be implemented across multiple instructors and campuses without losing the heart of the studio model. In response, she restructured the planning format entirely. Sarah developed comprehensive instructional guides for each course, ultimately creating more than 80 detailed documents for a single term launch. These resources included clear objectives, developmental intention, material preparation guidance, reflection prompts, and built-in flexibility to honor both instructor strengths and student interests.

Importantly, her approach balanced structure with autonomy. Where consistency was critical, Sarah created clear frameworks. Where creativity and individuality mattered, she intentionally designed space for instructor personality and youth voice. This dual focus ensured that programming remained cohesive across locations while preserving agency for both staff and students.

The impact has been substantial. Instructors report feeling more prepared and confident in delivering courses, particularly newer team members navigating classroom management, time management, and behavioral dynamics. The improved clarity has strengthened implementation and reduced variability in student experience between sites. At the same time, enrollment growth at the newly launched location indicates that courses are resonating with families and youth.

This evolution in instructional design has strengthened not only operational consistency but also the quality of youth engagement. Students experience thoughtfully designed programming that supports persistence, reflection, and creative risk-taking. Through this work, the nominee has elevated both staff capacity and student experience, positioning the program for sustainable growth across multiple sites.

The nominee’s impact is most visible in the relationships they build with youth.  Students who might initially feel hesitant or unsure about joining the program quickly feel comfortable because they know there is a trusted adult who understands their background and supports them. This relationship helps youth feel welcome not only in the program but within the broader school community.

Through their consistent presence, mentorship, and care, the nominee has helped create a space where youth feel safe, valued, and excited to participate. Sarah’s work has strengthened the connection between families, youth, and programming in ways that continue to positively impact the entire community.

• Heather Pridemore