Know an outstanding educator? Nominate them for Colorado Teacher of the Year
The Colorado Department of Education is seeking nominations for 2027 Teacher of the Year beginning
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily
The Colorado Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the state’s 2027 Teacher of the Year award.
The Teacher of the Year program recognizes educators who not only demonstrate excellence in teaching, but also positively impact their students and communities, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Education.
Stephen Paulson, a social studies teacher in the Greeley-Evans School District, was selected as Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year for his work guiding first-generation students toward college and connecting students with real-world career opportunities.
The nomination window closes on March 20, after which nominees will be invited to begin the program’s application process. Eligible nominees must be public school teachers working in state-accredited K-12 schools and plan to continue teaching throughout the 2027-28 school year.
To learn more or submit a nomination, visit ed.cde.state.co.us/cdeawards/teacheroftheyear. Nominators can submit more than one teacher for the award.
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The department will announce its 2027 Teacher of the Year semi-finalists on May 22, finalists in early September, and the winner will be announced in the fall, according to the release.
