2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year Finalists

Kristin Donley
Teacher, Science, grades 9-12
Monarch High School

Boulder Valley School District

 

Donley has taught physical science, chemistry and biology at Monarch High School for 10 years. She established and coordinated a district science research seminar to create a peer science mentorship program for elementary and middle school students. As the district curriculum coordinator, Donley offered free professional development opportunities. She believes that knowledge is gained mostly by empirical means (use of senses to investigate and acquire data) and that the scientific method is one of the best approaches to problem solving. Donley offers these techniques in her classroom to inspire her students to have a passion for learning.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew “Drew” Giles

Teacher, Kindergarten

Monaco Elementary School

Adams County School District 14

 

Giles has taught Kindergarten at Monaco Elementary School for 3 years.  Previously, he was an ELA-S Kindergarten teacher at Goldrick Elementary school, and an ESL preschool teacher in South Korea.  Giles has collaborated to provide professional development at both a building and district level.  He believes in using individualized teaching strategies to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students by teaching students excellence and independence.  Giles also believes in forming strong ties with parents and the community will help to ensure student success throughout their education.