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Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Annie Jenkin LaVanway

Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Annie Jenkin LaVanway

As we continue to celebrate 20 years of Breakthrough Twin Cities, we highlight the incredible stories of our alumni who have shaped and been shaped by the BTC community.

Meet Annie Jenkin LaVanway, a Teaching Fellow alum whose passion for education, mentorship, and equity was ignited during her summers with Breakthrough and continues to this day.

Beginning of the Journey

Annie first joined Breakthrough Twin Cities as a Teaching Fellow in 2014, teaching literature at the Saint Paul site. “My summers (2014 and 2015) as a Teaching Fellow were some of the most powerful I have ever had,” she said. “Building relationships with faculty and students, growing my teaching practice, and being introduced to the magic of the Twin Cities, which I have now called home for ten years.

 

What started as a summer opportunity quickly grew into something more. It was a stepping stone into a lifelong commitment to education and equity.

BTC Memories

Annie’s favorite BTC memory was the joy of dancing in the hallways. “Especially that first summer at Saint Paul City School, we were a tiny but mighty site with amazing students and a tight-knit faculty. I wish all schools used passing and dismissal times to share some joy!” That energy and sense of community made an impact and created memories that still bring a smile to her face!

For Annie, BTC stood out for its unwavering commitment to a growth mindset. “I really valued verbal kudos given in faculty meetings, the plus/delta model of feedback, and written kudos cards (which I still have!).” These small but powerful practices helped create an uplifting and supportive environment. “I have found few other spaces that were this positive and uplifting in my adult life, and these are practices I have brought into my own teaching, evaluating, and collegial relationships.

From Teaching Fellow to Higher Ed

Annie’s BTC journey didn’t end with her Teaching Fellow summers. She went on to serve as an Instructional Coach and later as a Dean of Instruction. Alongside earning her graduate degrees in education, these roles laid the groundwork for her work as a teacher educator at both the University of Minnesota and St. Catherine University.

In fact, her first solo research study was a Master’s thesis exploring what makes Breakthrough so successful!

If Annie had to describe Breakthrough in just one word, she says it’s simple: “Incredible!” She explains, “Breakthrough does an incredible job providing helpful supports for highly motivated students including prompts for every aspect of the college application process… I have seen Breakthrough successfully uplift intelligent, thoughtful, wonderful students, faculty, and staff year after year.

Life Today

Today, Annie lives in the Twin Cities with her partner, their baby daughter born in August 2024, and their dog. She is currently on a break from academia to stay home with her daughter, but looks forward to returning to the classroom and continuing her research on educational equity.

Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Karen Alderete Herrera

Celebrating 20 Years of Breakthrough: Spotlight on Karen Alderete Herrera

As Breakthrough Twin Cities celebrates 20 years of empowering students, we’re reflecting on the incredible journeys of our alumni.

Today, we highlight Karen Alderete Herrera, a proud 2013 Breakthrough student alum who continues to embody the values of perseverance, learning, and community.

Discovering Breakthrough

Karen’s journey with Breakthrough began with her love for learning. “I loved being in school, so when I first heard about a program that was offered during the summer, I naturally gravitated towards applying for it.”

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, she saw Breakthrough as an opportunity to grow academically and personally. What she found was more than just a summer program. BTC was a community that cheered her on at every step. “All my teachers always greeted us with a smile and were never short on being our biggest cheerleaders.” She was able to learn new material in a safe, inclusive environment, while also exploring her creative side!

Among her fondest memories were the vibrant, high-energy activities that brought students together.  “My favorite memory had to be every time we came together as a whole group and watched the plays the teachers performed,” she shared. Another highlight was the friendly college-themed competitions where her group cheered so loudly, they even managed to blow out the microphone on the recording camera! One particularly unforgettable moment was a chemistry-based remix of Pocket Full of Sunshine performed at the end of the summer session. “We were EPIC!” Karen recalls.

Karen credits many teachers and mentors for shaping her experience, but one who left a lasting impact was Daniel, her choir teacher. “He never told me I could not sing—though that’s a fact—but instead encouraged me to find my voice,” she said. This encouragement to step outside her comfort zone and embrace new challenges has stayed with her ever since. 

A Journey into Pharmacy

Karen’s experience at Breakthrough ignited a passion for learning that carried her through college and beyond. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Catherine University, where she graduated with honors. She was also selected for a prestigious summer research program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, leading to published work and a national conference presentation.

Inspired by this experience, she pursued a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors in 2023. Today, she is a licensed pharmacist in two states, specializing in Medication Therapy Management (MTM), where she helps patients manage their medications through one-on-one clinical care. “BTC was more than just a summer program; it was the start of my academic journey, career path, and lifelong learning process.

Where She is Today

Beyond her career, Karen’s greatest joy comes from her family. She is a proud new mom to her son, Maximiliano, and a beloved wife to her high school sweetheart, Buki. Her journey continues as she balances life as a pharmacist, a mother, and a lifelong learner ready for the next adventure.

BTC is a “Beginning”

If she had to describe Breakthrough in one word, Karen would choose “Beginning.” As she explains, “BTC was the beginning of my journey, and I can say probably for others too. So enjoy it while it lasts and dream big when it comes to your future because anything is possible.”

Karen’s story is just one of many that illustrate the transformative impact of Breakthrough Twin Cities. As we celebrate 20 years, we honor the past, present, and future of all our incredible students and alumni. Stay connected, share your story, and continue to be part of this remarkable community!

Breakthrough Twin Cities

2051 Larpenteur Ave E, Saint Paul, MN 55109, USA