Colorado Teacher of the Year

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Applications for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year are Due April 23

Learn about the application process

Apply to be the next
Teacher of the Year

Applications are open for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year!
The Teacher of the Year program elevates and celebrates exceptional educators. Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year will receive $5,000 from the Boettcher Foundation, become a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year award, and have an opportunity to travel to Washington, DC with other state nominees from across the country. The application form will be open until Wednesday, April 23.

We encourage you to apply!
The first part of the application process includes responding to two simple questions, a reference from your school and district leaders to complete application forms and a short, informal video telling us about yourself and your passion for teaching. In May, a group of semi-finalists will be invited to complete the rest of the application. The Colorado Department of Education will be offering virtual office hours Wednesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 16th from 3:30-4:30pm to provide support for applicants.

Application Resources

Planning Document

A Word version of the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year application is available (in English and Spanish) for download. Please note it is intended only as a reference document for instructions and application planning purposes. There is information in this document not available in the online application so we recommend downloading the file and reviewing it before, during and after filling out the online application.

Application Office Hours

Hosted by CDE’s Teacher of the Year Team

Wednesday, April 2, from 3:30-4:30 pm - Register Here
Wednesday, April 16, from 3:30-4:30 pm - Register Here

One on One Support

Need technical assistance or have program questions while completing your application?

Contact Patty Gleason (Gleason_P@cde.state.co.us) or Kim Burnham (Burnham_K@cde.state.co.us) with any questions.

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Current Awardee

About

Janet Damon named as finalist for National Teacher of the Year award

2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year Denver Public Schools Teacher JANET DAMON National Teacher of the Year Finalist

View the Jan. 30 news release to learn more.

2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon

Photo of Janet Damon getting the word that she is 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Janet Damon and FamilyJanet Damon and Family

About Janet Damon

Janet Damon, a history teacher at DELTA High School in Denver Public Schools, was announced as the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at her school on Oct. 3, 2024. Damon, a graduate of DPS, has been teaching in the district for more than 25 years, serving as a teacher, literacy interventionist, library specialist and trainer, and K-12 librarian. Damon will be Colorado’s National Teacher of the Year competition nominee.

About Colorado's Teacher of the Year Program

Honoring and Elevating Teachers

Each year, the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program honors an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 classroom teacher to represent the entire profession in the state. The selected teacher will automatically become Colorado's nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competition, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers

The Colorado Teacher of the Year receives many professional development opportunities and, along with the country's other teachers of the year, is honored at a special ceremony at the White House and gets the opportunity to go to NASA's Space Camp. The teacher also becomes a member of the Colorado Education Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet.

View previous Colorado Teachers of the Year

Preserving and Enhancing Teacher of the Year Programs

The Colorado Council of the Network of State Teachers of the Year (NSTOY) is an organization committed to the preservation and enhancement of the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program. The Council works with the Colorado Department of Education and other corporate and organizational partners to celebrate teaching excellence through the recognition of educators who have inspired a love for learning in their students, and who have distinguished themselves in the profession.

All Colorado State Teachers of the Year, as well as each year's finalists, are invited to participate.

Learn more on the Colorado Council's website