Colorado Department of Education
09/03/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2025 16:32
News Release - Colorado Department of Education announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year in Revere and Greeley-Evans school districts
Sept. 3, 2025
Colorado Department of Education announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year in Revere and Greeley-Evans school districts
Mindy Green of Revere School District and Stephen Paulson of Greeley-Evans School District 6 named finalists
DENVER - Today, representatives from the Colorado Department of Education surprised two more teachers in their classrooms with news that they are among the eight finalists in the running to be Colorado's 2026 Teacher of the Year.
In Ovid, teacher Mindy Green from Revere Elementary School was surprised in her classroom by Boettcher Foundation Alumni Engagement Manager Floyd Pierce, Revere Superintendent Sandra Rahe, and CDE Communications Chief Officer Emma Garrett-Nelson.
In Greeley, State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan (CD6), State Board Vice Chair Yasmin Navarro (CD8), Pierce, and Garrett-Nelson were joined by Greeley-Evans School District 6 Superintendent Deirdre Pilch to surprise Stephen Paulson from Greeley Central High School.
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. These were the third and fourth teachers out of eight who will be named finalists over the next few weeks. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in October.
Each finalist received $1,500 from the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation and each finalist's school received $500 from the Boettcher Foundation.
"Each of these finalists reflects the dedication and innovation that inspire students to reach their fullest potential," said Tiffany Anderson, vice president of grants & programs for the Boettcher Foundation. "We are honored to celebrate educators whose impact extends far beyond the classroom and into the future of Colorado."
The two finalists announced today are:
Mindy Green, Revere Elementary School, Revere School District
Mindy Green teaches math, social studies, and STEAM to fourth to sixth-grade students at Revere School 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 bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Governors University.
"We want to congratulate Mindy for this award and her career of bringing learning to life for her students in Revere," said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. "Mindy has been able to spark the love for learning, whether it's through math, social studies, or STEAM. Those moments of discovery help grow her students' curiosity, which can create a lifelong love for learning."
Revere Superintendent Rahe said: "Mindy is a dedicated educator who truly embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner. She brings research and theory to life in her classroom through engaging, joyful experiences that inspire her students. Mindy is also a trusted colleague-always ready to problem-solve, share her expertise, and support others in their teaching journey."
Stephen Paulson, Greeley Central High School, Greeley-Evans School District 6
Stephen Paulson is a social studies and AVID teacher at Greeley Central High School and has been an educator for 14 years. He says his mission is to empower first-generation students to achieve educational and financial advancement. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a master's degree from Colorado State University.
"Stephen is dedicated to opening doors of opportunity for his students," said Córdova. "Through his work in social studies and AVID, he is empowering first-generation students to see new possibilities for their future."
Greeley-Evans School District 6 Superintendent Pilch said: "Stephen is one of the finest educators I have worked with in my 38 years in public education. He is devoted to ensuring that every student learns and is engaged in their education. He recognizes the potential in all students and works to help them reach their goals. He is an advocate for his students and other educators, he is devoted to his profession, and he goes above and beyond to support his school and district."
The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will represent the state as a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program and serves as a teaching ambassador to communities and organizations around the state and nation.
The program is sponsored by the Boettcher Foundation and supported by partnerships with the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, and Blue Bell Ice Cream.
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The Colorado Department of Education's vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state's 178 school districts and BOCES.
3 de septiembre de 2025
El Departamento de Educación de Colorado anuncia al Maestro del Año 2026 de Colorado en los distritos escolares de Revere y Greeley-Evans.
Mindy Green, del distrito escolar de Revere, y Stephen Paulson, del distrito escolar 6 de Greeley-Evans, nombrados finalistas.
DENVER - Hoy, representantes del Departamento de Educación de Colorado han sorprendido a otros dos maestros en sus aulas con la noticia de que se encuentran entre los ocho finalistas que optan al premio al Maestro del Año 2026 de Colorado.
En Ovid, el maestro Mindy Green, de la escuela primaria Revere, recibió en su aula la sorpresa de Floyd Pierce, director de relaciones con antiguos alumnos de la Fundación Boettcher; Sandra Rahe, superintendente de Revere, y Emma Garrett-Nelson, directora de comunicaciones del CDE.
En Greeley, la presidenta de la Junta Estatal de Educación, Rebecca McClellan (CD6),Vicepresidenta Yasmin Navarro de la Junta Estatal, Yasmin Navarro (CD8), Pierce y Garrett-Nelson se unieron a la superintendente del Distrito Escolar 6 de Greeley-Evans, Deirdre Pilch, para dar una sorpresa a Stephen Paulson, de la Escuela Preparatoria Central de Greeley.
Se seleccionaron ocho finalistas de entre los 22 semifinalistas que se anunciaron en junio de 2025. Este año, hubo 419 candidatos de 109 distritos, lo que supone un aumento del 375 % con respecto al año anterior. Estos fueron los dos primeros maestros de los ocho que serán nombrados finalistas en las próximas semanas. El ganador del premio al Maestro del Año de Colorado 2026 se anunciará en octubre.
Cada finalista recibió 1500 dólares del Departamento de Educación de Colorado y de la Fundación Boettcher, y cada escuela de los finalistas recibió 500 dólares de la Fundación Boettcher.
"Cada uno de estos finalistas refleja la dedicación y la innovación que inspiran a los estudiantes a alcanzar su máximo potencial", affirma Tiffany Anderson, vicepresidenta de Subsidios y Programas de la Fundación Boettcher. "Es un honor para nosotros rendir homenaje a unos educadores cuyo impacto va mucho más allá del aula y se extiende al futuro de Colorado".
Los dos finalistas anunciados hoy son:
Malynda (Mindy) Green, Escuela Primaria Revere, Distrito Escolar Revere
Mindy Green enseña matemáticas, ciencias sociales y STEAM a alumnos de cuarto a sexto grado en la escuela Revere y lleva 25 años dedicada a la docencia. 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 una licenciatura y un máster de la Western Governors University.
"Queremos felicitar a Mindy por este premio y por su carrera dedicada a hacer que el aprendizaje cobre vida para sus alumnos en Revere", afirmó la comisionada Córdova. "Mindy ha sabido despertar el amor por el aprendizaje, ya sea a través de las matemáticas, las ciencias sociales o las disciplinas STEAM. Esos momentos de descubrimiento ayudan a fomentar la curiosidad de sus alumnos, lo que puede crear un amor por el aprendizaje que durará toda la vida".
El superintendente Rahe de Revere dijo: "Mindy es una educadora dedicada que realmente encarna lo que significa ser una estudiante de por vida. Ella da vida a la investigación y la teoría en su aula a través de experiencias atractivas y alegres que inspiran a sus alumnos. Mindy también es una colega de confianza, siempre dispuesta a resolver problemas, compartir su experiencia y apoyar a otros en su trayectoria docente".
Stephen Paulson, Escuela Preparatoria Central Greeley, Distrito Escolar 6 Greeley-Evans
Stephen Paulson es maestro de ciencias sociales y AVID en Greeley Central High School y lleva 14 años dedicado a la enseñanza. Afirma que su misión es empoderar a los estudiantes de primera generación para que alcancen el progreso educativo y financiero. Es licenciado por la Universidad del Norte de Colorado y tiene un máster por la Universidad Estatal de Colorado.
"Stephen se dedica a abrir puertas de oportunidades para sus alumnos", afirmó Córdova. "A través de su trabajo en ciencias sociales y AVID, está empoderando a los alumnos de primera generación para que vean nuevas posibilidades para su futuro".
El superintendente Pilch, del Distrito Escolar 6 de Greeley-Evans, dijo: "Stephen es uno de los mejores educadores con los que he trabajado en mis 38 años en la educación pública. Se dedica a garantizar que todos los alumnos aprendan y se impliquen en su educación. Reconoce el potencial de todos los alumnos y trabaja para ayudarles a alcanzar sus metas. Es un defensor de sus alumnos y de otros educadores, está dedicado a su profesión y va más allá para apoyar a su escuela y a su distrito."
El Maestro del Año de Colorado 2026 representará al estado como candidato al programa Nacional del Maestro del Año y actuará como embajador docente ante comunidades y organizaciones de todo el estado y la nación.
El programa está patrocinado por la Fundación Boettcher y cuenta con el apoyo de colaboraciones con la Asociación de Educación de Colorado, la Universidad Estatal Adams, y Blue Bell Ice Cream.
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La visión del Departamento de Educación de Colorado es crear entornos educativos equitativos donde todos los estudiantes y el personal de Colorado prosperen. Nuestro papel es mejorar los resultados de los estudiantes y garantizar que los estudiantes y las familias de todo Colorado tengan acceso a escuelas de alta calidad, sirviendo, guiando y elevando a los 178 distritos escolares y BOCES de nuestro estado.
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