Julie Naski Roman of Denver Public Schools and Kendall Van Valkenburg of Eagle County School District have been named as two of the eight finalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year award. The announcement was made by the Colorado Department of Education, with both teachers being surprised in their classrooms.
State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan and State Board Member Lisa A. Escárcega, along with Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova, Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants & Programs Tiffany Anderson, Denver Public Schools Board Member Scott Esserman, and Superintendent Alex Marrero were present to recognize Julie Naski Roman at Carson Elementary School in Denver. Later in the day, Eagle County Superintendent Philip Qualman, Boettcher Foundation Alumni Engagement Manager Floyd Pierce, and CDE’s Chief Communications Officer Emma Garrett-Nelson celebrated Kendall Van Valkenburg at Red Canyon High School in Eagle County.
This year saw a significant increase in interest for the award, with 419 applicants from 109 districts—a rise of 375% compared to last year. Eight finalists were chosen from 22 semifinalists announced earlier in June 2025. The remaining six finalists will be revealed over the coming weeks. The winner is expected to be announced in October.
Each finalist received $1,500 from the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation. Additionally, each finalist’s school was awarded $500 from the Boettcher Foundation.
“The Colorado Teacher of the Year finalists embody the creativity, commitment, and heart that define exceptional teaching,” said Boettcher’s Anderson. “We are proud to partner in a program that lifts up Colorado’s educators and highlights the exceptional work they do in shaping the lives of our students.”
