Latest news with #ColoradoTeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Semifinalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year revealed
DENVER (KDVR) — And then there were 22. The semifinalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year were revealed Thursday, with the remaining contenders representing 22 schools from 17 districts and two charters. The Colorado Department of Education said this year's semifinalists — which already beat out nearly 400 other contenders — are the most 'geographically diverse' to date, with at least two representing every region in the state. Lawsuit against Purina plant's 'rancid' odor dismissed 'We're proud to recognize this incredible group of educators who represent the best of Colorado's teaching profession,' said Education Commissioner Susan Córdova, in a statement. The semifinalists were selected from a pool of 419 initial applicants from a total of 106 school districts, the CDE said. The candidates were reviewed by a committee of more than 40 people, including previous Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff and representatives from the Boettcher Foundation. 'Each of these semifinalists has made a meaningful impact in their classrooms and communities, and we wish them all the best as they move forward in the selection process,' Córdova said. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year semifinalists are: Julie Ahrens from Twin Peaks Classical Academy (authorized by St. Vrain Valley School District) Artemio Baltazar from Grand Valley Center for Family Learning in Garfield County School District 16 Sarah Bayer from Polaris Expeditionary Learning School in Poudre School District Jessica Bell from Denver Green School Northfield in Denver Public Schools Kevin Brown from Red Rocks Elementary School in Jeffco Public Schools Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary School in Mesa County Valley School District 51. Emily Gaytan from Centennial Elementary School in Harrison School District 2 Malynda (Mindy) Green from Revere School in Revere School District Elisamaria Heredia from Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 in Alamosa School District Re-11J Brittney Isom from Genoa-Hugo School in Genoa-Hugo School C-113 Teri Kopack from Durango High School in Durango School District 9-R Stephanie LaCount from Grand Junction High School in Mesa County Valley School District 51 Julie Milam from Canon City High School in Canon City School District RE-1 Julie Naski Roman from Carson Elementary School in Denver Public Schools Stephen Paulson from Greeley Central High School in Greeley-Evans School District 6 Tyler David Philipsen from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs School District 11 Gayathri Ramkumar from Aurora Central High School in Aurora Public Schools Diana Remick from La Junta Primary School in East Otero School District Sabra Sowell-Lovejoy from Campo Undivided High School in Campo School District RE-6 Elizabeth Rose Tarbutton from Peak to Peak Charter School (authorized by Boulder Valley School District) Kendall Van Valkenburg from Red Canyon High School in Eagle County School District Re-50J Leon Vasquez from Drake Middle School in Jeffco Public Schools Colorado fentanyl dealer sentenced in Texas after mailing pills to man who died The eventual winner will be Colorado's nominee for the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year Program, be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive $5,000 from the Boettcher Foundation, according to the CDE. Finalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be announced by the CDE in September. The ultimate winner will be named in October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two D51 teachers named semifinalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Thursday, the Colorado Department of Education announced the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Out of the 22 educators named as semifinalists, two are educators from District 51: Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary School and Stephanie LaCount from Grand Junction High School. Fitzgerald is a first-grade teacher at Mesa View Elementary School in Grand Junction. She has been an educator for 17 years, and her honors include FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree and Outstanding Coach Award from the National FIRST Lego League. According to her semifinalist bio, she 'wants to create a safe place for students like her teachers did for her.' LaCount is an English Language Arts teacher at Grand Junction High School and has been an educator for 19 years. She has won awards such as the City of Fruita Teacher Appreciation award in 2020 and the KREX Golden Apple Award in 2018. According to her semifinalist bio, 'one of her goals as a teacher is to give students the power of self-acceptance.' Fitzgerald and LaCount were chosen from a pool of 419 applicants representing 106 school districts statewide. The pool of applicants had increased by 375% compared to the prior year. The Colorado Teacher of the Year program honors K-12 educators who have made an impact on their students, schools and communities. The selection process mirrors the standards of the national Teacher of the Year program. The semifinalist selection consisted of a review committee of over 40 people, including Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff, representatives from the Boettcher Foundation and the lead sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year program. 'We're proud to see educators from District 51 recognized among this year's semifinalists,' saidDr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51. 'We appreciate the workall of our teachers do each and every day to support our students, and we're cheering on and Ms. LeCount as they move forward in the process!' The semifinalists will move on to the next stage of the selection process, which includes additional essay questions from the teachers, and the finalists will be announced in September. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be named in October. 'These semifinalists reflect the dedication, passion, and innovation that great teaching requires,' said Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants and Programs Tiffany Anderson. 'We're honored to serve as lead sponsor for a program that shines a spotlight on educators who are shaping Colorado's future, and we look forward to celebrating all they've accomplished.' The educator chosen as Colorado's Teacher of the Year represents over 55,000 educators across the state, will receive national recognition in Washington, D.C. and will earn a $5,000 award from the Boettcher Foundation. Individuals can learn more about the program and the other semifinalists on the Colorado Department of Education's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Denver teacher finalist for National Teacher of the Year
DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver teacher is one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award. The Colorado Department of Education announced on Thursday that Denver Public Schools' Janet Damon, who was named the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year in October, is one of four teachers from around the country up for national recognition. Previous: Denver teacher named 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year 'Janet Damon exemplifies what it means to meet the moment as an educator,' DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said in a press release. 'She responds to each student's unique needs with creativity, building excitement for learning and inspiring every student she touches. Her impact is transformative, shaping the future one student at a time.' Damon is a history teacher at DPS's DELTA High School and has been teaching students in the district for over 25 years. She will now travel to Washington, D.C. in February to interview with the National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. Damon was among 56 educators in the running for the top honor and is among other finalist teachers from American Samoa, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. In the announcement, Damon said it was the Denver Public Schools community, to which she has belonged since she graduated from DPS, that this recognition reflects. 'I am truly honored to be named a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year award,' Damon said. 'This recognition is a reflection of the amazing students, colleagues, and community I am fortunate to work with every day. Teaching is about empowering others, and I'm excited to continue sharing the incredible work happening in our classrooms.' Study: This Colorado town is one of the fastest-growing wealthy suburbs in America The Council of Chief State School Officers will announce the 2025 National Teacher of the Year in the spring. If selected, Damon will serve as an education ambassador nationally representing the voices of all teachers and students. Colorado's last National Teacher of the Year finalist was Roaring Fork School District educator Autumn Rivera in 2022. Damon holds a bachelor's degree from Metropolitan State University, a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Denver and an educational specialist degree in leadership for educational organizations from the University of Colorado at Denver. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
