30-01-2025
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.
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'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.'
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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.
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