Colorado Department of Education announces 21 semifinalists for 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year

DENVER – Today, the Colorado Department of Education announced its semifinalists for 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year. The department’s 21 semifinalists represent 21 schools from 18 Colorado school districts and one charter school. This group of semifinalists has at least one candidate from every region in Colorado. 

“We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated educators serving students across Colorado,” said Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “These semifinalists reflect the passion, creativity and commitment that define our profession, and we are excited to celebrate the impact they are making in schools and communities throughout the state.”

• Alexander Adkisson from Green Mountain High School in Jefferson County Public Schools

• Christina Merci Ames from Strasburg High School in Strasburg 31J

• Ilka Andino from Wilson Elementary School in Colorado Springs School District 11

• Shandra Botello from Merrill Middle School in Denver Public Schools

• Jason Cochrane from Mountain Vista High School in Douglas County School District

• Melissa Corwin from Summit High School in Summit School District

• Nicole Cox from Ann K. Heiman Elementary School in Greeley-Evans School District 6

• Emma DeHerrera from Monte Vista High School in Monte Vista School District C-8

• Devin DuPree from Eagle Valley High School in Eagle County School District Re-50J

• McLayne Hager from Briggsdale School in Briggsdale School District RE-10

• Robin Leonard from Fletcher Miller School in Jefferson County Public Schools

• Lissa Lycan from Montezuma-Cortez Middle School in Montezuma-Cortez School District

• Viviana Martinez from Vista Peak Preparatory High School in Aurora Public Schools

• Sarah Murtaugh from Gunnison Elementary School in Gunnison Watershed School District RE-1J

• Kedibona Ochs from Northfield High School in Denver Public Schools

• Samantha Radtke from Summit Elementary School in Woodland Park School District RE-2

• Jessie Russett from Trinidad Middle School in Trinidad School District 1

• Arjun Sahdev from Minnequa Elementary School in Pueblo School District 60

• Brian Sleevi from Bayfield High School in Bayfield School District

• Zebulen Vargas from Carmel Community School in Harrison School District 2

• Melanie Walker from North Routt Community Charter School

The semifinalists will move on to the second part of the application process, which includes additional essay questions. The Colorado Department of Education will announce its finalists for 2027 Teacher of the Year in September and name a winner in October.

Colorado’s 2027 Teacher of the Year represents the state’s 55,000+ educators at the state and national levels and will become Colorado’s nominee for the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program, be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 courtesy of the Boettcher Foundation and the Colorado Department of Education. The Colorado Teacher of the Year 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.