Colorado Teacher of the Year
The 2010 Colorado Teacher of the Year is Justin Darnell, a science teacher from Bryant-Webster K-8 in Denver.
Darnell was named the 2010 Colorado Teacher of the Year by Gov. Bill Ritter at an event held on Nov. 20, 2009 in lower downtown Denver.
Darnell has worked for the last seven years as a science teacher, including the last five at Bryant Webster K-8 School, where 95 percent of the student body is eligible for free and reduced lunch and 96 percent of the students are Hispanic including many English language learners.
In her letter of recommendation on behalf of Justin Darnell,
Bryant-Webster principal Pamela Liñan wrote: “Mr. Darnell is
respectful to students from cultures different than his own and has
learned strategies in working with English language learners and
applies them
in his content area. He promotes oral language development within
his science classroom. I truly believe that he is helping to foster
great change and direction in the teaching of science for our
student population.”
2010 Teacher of the Year Finalists
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Lynn Jackson, Eldorado K-8, Boulder Valley School District
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Michelle Pearson, Hulstrom Options School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Recent Teachers of the Year
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Susan Elliott, 2009 Colorado Teacher of the Year
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Seth Berg, 2008 Colorado Teacher of the Year
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Susan Ryder, 2007 Colorado Teacher of the Year
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Adele Bravo, 2006 Colorado Teacher of the Year
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Kathy Heavers, 2005 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Veteran Teachers of the Year
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To view a list of Colorado’s Teachers of the Year from 1963 to present, click here.
Criteria
Must be a skilled, dedicated, knowledgeable classroom teacher in a state-approved or -accredited school, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, who plans to continue an active teaching career.
Deadline/Nominations
Applications will be reviewed by an independent selection committee. Applications are due on Oct. 1. Several candidates will be interviewed in October and then semi-finalists will be visited/observed in their classrooms by members of the selection committee.
Application Process
Because of the individual nature of the questions -- teaching philosophies, most remarkable education achievement, etc. -- nominees must fill out and submit their own applications. Potential candidates for Colorado Teacher of the Year are encouraged to fill out and return an application form which will be posted on this site.
Contact
Colorado Teacher of the Year Program
Attention: Anne Marie Roberts
roberts_a@cde.state.co.us
201 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-6648
Fax: (303) 866-6866