Ona Luistro was born and raised in Denver, CO and a product of Denver Public Schools. She graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a Business minor. During her junior year in college, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. After graduating, Ona began her career working with youth in the justice system as a coach counselor at Rite of Passage Youth Detention Facility in Watkins, CO. While working with youth in the justice system, she began substituting for classes at the on-campus school on her off days. That is when she discovered her love for teaching. She went back to school to obtain her teaching licensure through CU Denver and became a full-time Special Education Teacher working with at-risk high school aged youth at Thirdway Treatment Facility.

After obtaining her professional teaching license, and working in education for five years, she decided to go back to school to further her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Criminology, while also volunteering as an intern probation officer. That experience allowed her to gain exposure to injustices our youth, especially minority youth, face every day. Incorporating her background in teaching and her passion to help youth against injustices, she knew a position as an educator was where she needed to stay in order to have a direct impact on all students of color and to be an advocate for them in education.

Ona Luistro is married with three children, ages eight, twelve, and nineteen. She is currently in her 13th year of education, teaching 7th grade and Advanced 7th grade Math classes in the Cherry Creek School District. In 2020 Ona started her own private tutoring company, Impact Tutoring Inc, and since its founding has served over 100+ youth and has employed over fifteen diverse tutors. She strives to continue to grow this business and partner with local school districts to continue to expand and serve the larger community in the area of education. She is also one of the CCEA union representatives at her school and a member of the staff equity team. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She also enjoys fishing and sitting down to read a good book.