Colorado Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year Finalists! Colorado Department of Education Logo, Boettcher Foundation Logo

Congratulations to the 8 finalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year!

Eight finalists were selected from the 22 semifinalists who were announced in June 2025. This year, there were 419 applicants from 109 districts, an increase of 375% from the previous year. Eight finalists will be announced over the next few weeks. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in October.

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2026 Finalists

Current Awardee

About

Meet the 2026 Finalists

Learn more by viewing the latest news releases and enjoy the photos from the surprise visits!

Announced Sept. 15, 2025, 2:30pm:

Elisamaria Heredia

Elisamaria Heredia teaches multilingual learners at Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 in Alamosa School District and has been an educator for 24 years. She is also the K-12 multilingual learning coordinator for Alamosa School District and an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Adams State University. When she meets college students that used to be her English learners in elementary school, she says it fills her with pride and inspiration knowing how far they have come. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Adams State University.

Elisamaria Heredia enseña inglés a estudiantes multilingües en la escuela primaria Alamosa Elementary School 3-5, en el distrito escolar de Alamosa, y lleva 24 años dedicada a la educación. Es coordinadora de inglés como segunda lengua (K-12) en el distrito escolar de Alamosa y profesora adjunta en la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Estatal Adams. Cuando se encuentra con estudiantes universitarios que fueron alumnos suyos en primaria, se llena de orgullo e inspiración al ver lo lejos que han llegado. Tiene un máster en Educación por la Universidad Estatal Adams.

Announced Sept. 9, 2025, 2:00pm:

Liz Fitzgerald

Liz Fitzgerald teaches first grade at Mesa View Elementary School in Mesa County Valley School District and has been an educator for 17 years. Some of her honors include FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree and Outstanding Coach Award from National FIRST Lego League. She wants to create a safe place for students like her teachers did for her. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Kansas Wesleyan University and a master's degree in elementary education from Baker University.

Liz Fitzgerald es maestra de primer grado en la escuela primaria Mesa View, en el distrito escolar Mesa County Valley, y lleva 17 años dedicada a la educación. Entre los reconocimientos que ha recibido se encuentran el FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree y el Outstanding Coach Award de la FIRST Lego League. Quiere crear un lugar seguro para los estudiantes, tal y como hicieron sus maestros con ella. Tiene una maestría en educación primaria de la Universidad Baker.

Announced Sept. 4, 2025, 2:00pm:

Emily Gaytan

Emily Gaytan is a first grade teacher at Centennial Elementary School in Harrison School District 2 and has been an educator for six years. Prior to teaching, she was a military police officer in the United States Army. She believes that teaching requires a relentless belief in students and their potential. She holds a bachelor's in inclusive early childhood education from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and is currently working on her master's in educational leadership with principal licensure from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Emily Gaytan es maestra de primer grado en la Escuela Primaria Centennial, en el Distrito Escolar 2 de Harrison, y lleva ocho años dedicada a la educación. Antes de dedicarse a la enseñanza, fue oficial de la policía militar del Ejército de los Estados Unidos. Cree que la enseñanza requiere una fe inquebrantable en los estudiantes y en su potencial. Tiene una licenciatura en Educación Inclusiva para la Primera Infancia de la Universidad de Colorado en Colorado Springs y actualmente está cursando una maestría en Liderazgo Educativo con licencia de directora en la Universidad de Colorado en Colorado Springs.

Announced Sept. 4, 2025, 11:00am:

Julie Milam

Julie Milam is a science teacher at Canon City High School in Canon City School District and has been an educator for 17 years. Currently, she is the department chair, new teacher mentor, and Link Crew coordinator at her school. She is fueled by the immense privilege it is to spend time with her students. She holds bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Biology from Colorado State University Pueblo and master's degrees in Chemistry Education and Physics Education from Western Governors University.

Julie Milam es maestra de ciencias en la escuela preparatoria Canon City High School, en el distrito escolar de Canon City, y lleva 17 años dedicada a la enseñanza. Actualmente es jefa de departamento, mentora de nuevos maestros y coordinadora del programa Link Crew en su escuela. Le motiva enormemente el privilegio que supone pasar tiempo con sus alumnos. Tiene un máster en Educación Química y Física por la Western Governors University.

Announced Sept. 3, 2025, 3:30pm:

Stephen Paulson

Stephen Paulson is a social studies and AVID teacher at Greeley Central High School in Greeley Evans School District 6 and has been an educator for 14 years. Previously, he has won Greeley Central Teacher of the Year (2024) and Greeley Evans School District Teacher of the Year (2021) awards. His mission is to empower first-generation students to achieve educational and financial advancement. He holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from University of Northern Colorado and a master's degree in educational leadership from Colorado State University.

Stephen Paulson es maestro de estudios sociales y AVID en la Greeley Central High School del distrito escolar 6 de Greeley Evans y lleva 14 años dedicado a la educación. Anteriormente, ganó el premio al Maestro del Año de Greeley Central (2024) y al Maestro del Año del distrito escolar de Greeley Evans (2021). Su misión es empoderar a los estudiantes de primera generación para que alcancen el progreso educativo y financiero. Tiene una maestría en liderazgo educativo de la Colorado State University.

Announced Sept. 3, 2025, 12:30pm:

Mindy Green

Malynda (Mindy) Green

Malynda (Mindy) Green teaches math, social studies, and STEAM to third to sixth grade students at Revere School in Revere School District and has been an educator for 25 years. She is the coordinator for gifted and talented education and an AI fellow for Northeast BOCES. The moments of delight and understanding from the students fuel her love of teaching. She holds a bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis in elementary education and a master's degree in mathematics education from Western Governors University

Malynda (Mindy) Green enseña matemáticas, estudios sociales y STEAM a alumnos de tercero a sexto grado en la escuela Revere School, en el distrito escolar Revere, y lleva 25 años dedicada a la educación. Es coordinadora de educación para alumnos superdotados y con talento y miembro de AI para Northeast BOCES. Los momentos de alegría y comprensión de los alumnos alimentan su amor por la enseñanza. Tiene un máster en Educación Matemática por la Western Governors University.

Announced Sept. 2, 2025, 1:00pm:

Kendall Van Valkenburg

Kendall Van Valkenburg is an English teacher from Red Canyon High School in Eagle County School District and has been an educator for 12 years. One of her notable achievements is initiating the Sk8 Gypsum class which built a new skate park in the community and was featured on a national broadcast on PBS. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master's degree in education psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Kendall Van Valkenburg es maestra de inglés en la escuela preparatoria Red Canyon High School del distrito escolar del condado de Eagle y lleva 12 años dedicada a la enseñanza. Uno de sus logros más destacados es la puesta en marcha de la clase Sk8 Gypsum, que construyó un nuevo parque de patinaje en la comunidad y apareció en un programa nacional de la cadena PBS. Tiene una maestría en psicología de la educación de la Universidad del Norte de Colorado.

Announced Sept. 2, 2025, 9:30am:

Julie Naski Roman

Julie Naski Roman teaches literacy, mathematics, and special education at Carson Elementary School in Denver Public Schools and has been an educator for 30 years. She has taught Multilingual Language Education (MLE) courses for teachers to support multilingual learners and previously worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver. Her objective is to provide all students with the skill sets necessary to perform at their highest potential. She holds a bachelor's degree in science of education from University of Detroit Mercy and a master's degree in special education from the University of Colorado.

Julie Naski Roman enseña alfabetización, matemáticas y educación especial en la escuela primaria Carson, perteneciente a las escuelas públicas de Denver, y lleva 30 años dedicada a la educación. Ha impartido cursos de MLE para maestros con el fin de apoyar a los alumnos multilingües y anteriormente trabajó como profesora adjunta en la Universidad de Denver. Su objetivo es proporcionar a todos los alumnos las habilidades necesarias para rendir al máximo de su potencial. Tiene un máster en educación especial por la Universidad de Colorado.

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.

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