Colorado teacher gets a big surprise: she's being inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame
CBS News recently gave some good news to a special group of teachers across the country. For a segment on "CBS Mornings," they were able to tell five teachers in five different states that they were inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame, including one in Colorado.
Teacher Michelle Pearson works with a student at Century Middle School in Thornton.
CBS
Denver-area teacher Michelle Pearson has spent 31 years sharing her love of learning with students. Her principal at Century Middle School in Thornton says she's often the first person to arrive at school and the last one to leave.
Pearson also has a passion for getting outside the classroom. She has taken students to national parks and monuments, including Colorado National Monument on the Western Slope and the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York. She has had them work with legislators to help craft the Great American Outdoors Act, which helped to fund public lands.
CBS News reporter David Begnaud interrupted Michelle Pearson's social studies class at Century Middle School to surprise her with the news that she is a 2025 National Teacher Hall of Fame inductee.
CBS
CBS News contributor David Begnaud interrupted Pearson's social studies class to break the news to her that she is a 2025 National Teacher Hall of Fame inductee. It was a very big surprise for Pearson, who was then flown to New York City for an in-studio appearance this week on "CBS Mornings."
At an assembly where Begnaud broke the news to the entire school, the student body was amped up and eager to celebrate their teacher. Pearson credited everyone she works with and everyone she teaches for the honor.
"All I'm going to say is, I'm not here because of me, I'm here because of you guys and because of your teachers," she said. "You only reach excellence because of those you lift up."
Principal Kristin Devlin-Vollmar presents teacher Michelle Pearson with a plaque.
CBS
Maddie Fennell, executive director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, said Pearson and the four other teachers who are being inducted this year "embody excellence, compassion and commitment to students."
"We are thrilled to partner with CBS to shine a well-deserved national spotlight on the people shaping the future of our country," Fennell said in a prepared statement.
Pearson will be inducted in a ceremony in Kansas on June 20. The National Teachers Hall of Fame is located in Emporia and the ceremony will take place at Emporia State University.
Only one other Colorado teacher is in the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Marjorie West from Lakewood was inducted in 1995. She was the "first blind teacher in Colorado to be allowed to continue to teach in the regular classroom with a guide dog, "Rush," and full-time aide," according to the NTHF website.
As part of the honors, each of the teachers will be given $20,000 by Canva, and their schools each also got $20,000. Century Middle School is part of Adams 12 Five Star Schools.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
32 minutes ago
- News24
‘Let them': Wellbeing guru Mel Robbins on the life-changing power of letting go
Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once.
Forbes
36 minutes ago
- Forbes
How To Use Curiosity To Overcome Workplace Shame And Embarrassment
How To Use Curiosity To Overcome Workplace Shame And Embarrassment There's a moment everyone hopes to avoid. The time you say the wrong thing in front of a client. Or your mind goes blank during a presentation. Or someone points out an error you made in front of the entire team. Suddenly, your face is hot, your thoughts are scrambled, and you just want to disappear. Workplace shame and embarrassment can feel overwhelming, especially for high achievers. But the truth is that it doesn't have to define you. If you let it, curiosity can become your way out. Why Workplace Shame And Embarrassment Hit So Hard Embarrassment and shame are powerful emotions because they're rooted in fear, including the fear of losing status, competence, or belonging. At work, where we often tie our identity to performance, any public misstep can feel like a character flaw instead of a simple mistake. I can remember speaking at an event where Brené Brown spoke prior to my turn on stage. Known for her work on vulnerability and shame, Brené said, 'Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.' That really resonated with the audience. In the workplace, that often translates to believing we are no longer respected. Why Curiosity Works When Confidence Disappears Due To Workplace Shame And Embarrassment Confidence can disappear in a single moment. Curiosity helps you rebuild it. When you feel humiliated, your natural instinct might be to hide or ruminate. But curiosity creates movement. It shifts your focus away from the fear of judgment and onto questions that help you understand what happened, how to respond, and what you can learn. It's a tool for regaining power without pretending the moment didn't happen. What Questions Can Help After A Humiliating Moment Of Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? Instead of obsessing over what others might be saying, start with questions that keep you grounded: Curiosity turns you from a victim of the moment into a student of it. It invites reflection instead of reactivity. What Happens If You Don't Use Curiosity To Overcome Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? When you don't question what happened, your brain fills in the blanks with the worst possible explanations. You assume your reputation is ruined. You start replaying the moment over and over again. You might even avoid people or projects just to escape the shame. That avoidance reinforces fear and keeps you stuck. Without curiosity, moments like these grow into patterns that hold you back. Can Curiosity Help You Face The People Who Saw You Experience Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? Yes. Curiosity softens the judgment you place on yourself, and that changes how others respond to you. When you approach the aftermath with a sense of humility and genuine interest in growth, people see that. They're less focused on your mistake and more focused on your recovery. Curiosity gives you something to say besides an apology. It lets you ask for feedback, explore what went wrong, and show up with grace. How Do Leaders Recover From Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? The leaders I've interviewed who made a strong comeback after setbacks didn't ignore the problem or try to cover it up. They used their curiosity to understand how others perceived the situation, what systems failed, and what they could do differently. One executive told me that after a failed launch, she went team by team and asked, 'What did you see that I didn't?' That one question opened up ideas and insight that ultimately led to their next success. What Role Does Emotional Intelligence Play In Overcoming Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? Curiosity is one of the quickest ways to activate emotional intelligence. Instead of reacting based on shame, fear, or blame, curiosity gives you a pause. That pause helps you label your emotions, recognize the impact on others, and regulate your response. Emotional intelligence researcher Marc Brackett wrote in his book Permission To Feel, 'If you can name it, you can tame it.' Curiosity helps you name what's really going on, so you don't spiral. What If You've Experienced Workplace Shame And Embarrassment By Something You Said In A Meeting? This is one of the most common workplace regrets. Whether it's a joke that didn't land or a point you fumbled, embarrassment can feel sharp. Use curiosity to ask yourself: Did I say something unkind or just unpolished? Do I need to follow up or clarify anything? What would help me feel closure on this? Often, a short message, a clarifying email, or even acknowledging the awkwardness with humor can reset the tone. Can Curiosity Help Prevent Future Workplace Shame And Embarrassment Moments? Yes. If you're the type who often feels blindsided, curiosity helps you anticipate better. It encourages preparation, self-awareness, and continuous learning. Asking for feedback before a big meeting or practicing answers to tough questions can reduce the likelihood of missteps. It doesn't guarantee perfection, but it builds resilience and insight that protect your confidence. What Should You Remind Yourself After A Hard Moment Of Workplace Shame And Embarrassment? You're allowed to have an off day. You're allowed to feel embarrassed. But don't let a single moment become your story. Ask the questions that lead to growth. Be the person who gets curious instead of shutting down after experiencing workplace shame and embarrassment. That's what strength looks like. That's what leadership looks like. And that's how you move forward, one question at a time.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A new campaign trying to keep a LGBTQ+ center open
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Prism Center has been welcoming people from all walks of life since 2023. 'The Transformation Project started to primarily support transgender individuals across the state. But we realized that there was also a gap for everyone in the LGBTQ community. And we all needed a space to come in the community and be together. So we thought it would be a good idea to open a space like this,' said Morgan Peterson, an administrative assistant with the Transformation Project. State plans to decrease its payments to the needy This month the group launched the Prism Center Founders Campaign to keep the center money will also support programs, including Marty's Closet. 'Marty's Closet is an organization that helps trans people find a week's worth of clothing for free. They can come in every six months. And receive access to, free clothing. And also, access to, like, binders and shoes,' said AJ Hamer the Closet Manage for Marty's Closet. The goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of the month, by recruiting 100 founders to raise $500 within their communities. 'Studies have shown that even just one supportive adult in a youth's life who's LGBTQ, it can save their lives and it can prevent suicide. And when you come to the center, you have dozens of people who have your back,' said Peterson. 'If we don't meet our goal, it's going to be very difficult for us to sustain this place long term,' Peterson said. So far, the campaign has received over $16,000 of its $50,000 goal. Here is a link to donate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
