In their three years together Jesse and Chris were relaxed and comfortable with each other. The pair made a point to celebrate Jesse’s learning milestones and studied for his citizenship exam. Chris admired Jesse’s dedication to learning a difficult new language and his drive to improve his quality of life. In their lessons, Chris noted, “perfection isn’t the goal,” and they both embraced mistakes with laughter and compassion. Mistakes or no, Jesse’s scores improve with every evaluation. Originally from Peru, Jesse moved to the valley in 2003. Chris was a beloved teacher at Aspen Community School and lived in Carbondale until his death in 2018. He was a dynamic and dear member of our community, and we are grateful for his service and enthusiasm.
