Representatives from the Colorado Department of Education visited schools in Ovid and Greeley to announce that Mindy Green of Revere Elementary School and Stephen Paulson of Greeley Central High School are among eight finalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year award.
Mindy Green was surprised in her classroom by Floyd Pierce, Boettcher Foundation Alumni Engagement Manager; Sandra Rahe, Revere Superintendent; and Emma Garrett-Nelson, Chief Communications Officer at CDE. In Greeley, State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan, Vice Chair Yasmin Navarro, Floyd Pierce, Emma Garrett-Nelson, and District 6 Superintendent Deirdre Pilch delivered the news to Stephen Paulson at Greeley Central High School.
Each finalist received $1,500 from the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation. Their respective schools were awarded $500 each 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 Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Boettcher Foundation with support from partners including the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, and Blue Bell Ice Cream. The winner will represent Colorado as a candidate for National Teacher of the Year and serve as a teaching ambassador across communities statewide.
The Colorado Department of Education’s stated goal is to improve student outcomes by supporting all 178 school districts in providing high-quality education throughout Colorado.
