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Pima County Legendary CTE Teacher
It is with deep pride and profound gratitude that I celebrate Dr. Maria Bicknell as the recipient of the Legendary Teacher Award for JTED. Dr. Bicknell is more than an exceptional educator; she is a culture builder, a mentor, and a force of connection who has left an indelible mark on Pueblo High School and the countless lives she touches daily.
As the department head of Pueblo’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, Dr. Bicknell leads with uncommon wisdom and extraordinary heart. She understands that thriving programs begin not only with strong curriculum and technical excellence but with climate and culture — the unseen fabric that binds a team and inspires greatness. She treats her department as family, creating spaces of belonging and care. In fact, rather than holding traditional meetings, she often gathers her colleagues for shared lunches, fostering relationships built on trust, respect, and mutual celebration.
Dr. Bicknell embodies John C. Maxwell’s reminder that “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” She leads not through titles or directives, but through genuine love and unwavering support. Her colleagues and students know they are valued, seen, and believed in — and because of this, they rise. As Parker Palmer so beautifully wrote, “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.” Dr. Bicknell’s integrity and identity are rooted in compassion, service, and deep professional skill.
This recognition is not simply an award; it is an affirmation of the extraordinary impact she has had — transforming classrooms into pathways of opportunity and turning a department into a thriving, joyful community. I am profoundly honored to serve as her principal and to witness daily the difference she makes.
Dr. Maria Bicknell is truly legendary — not just for what she teaches, but for how she uplifts, connects, and inspires all who have the privilege to know her.
With great respect and admiration,
Frank Rosthenhausler
Principal