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 Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made by the Colorado Department of Education, which, along with representatives from schools and school districts, visited both teachers in their classrooms to deliver the news.
State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan (CD6) and State Board Member Lisa A. Escárcega (CD1) were joined by 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 to recognize Julie Naski Roman at Carson Elementary School in Denver Public Schools.
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 visited Red Canyon High School to honor Kendall Van Valkenburg.
The eight finalists were chosen from a pool of 22 semifinalists announced in June 2025. This year saw a total of 419 applicants representing 109 districts across Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Education, this is a 375% increase compared to last year’s applicant numbers. Over the next few weeks, all eight finalists will be revealed. The winner for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.
Each finalist received $1,500 from both the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation. In addition, 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.”
