The Montezuma-Cortez School District announced Tuesday that eight teachers have been nominated for the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year, including three from Kemper Elementary. Nominations opened in February and closed March 20.
The nominees are Christina Gray, Teresa Kraus and Melody McNeill of Kemper Elementary; Gladys Lovette Manzano of Mesa Elementary; Lissa Lycan and Robby Moy of Cortez Middle School; Mary Veach-Birdsall of Beech Street Preschool; and Jarrett Watkins of Montezuma-Cortez High School.
The Colorado Department of Education invited students, parents, colleagues and residents to nominate teachers help students, schools and communities.
Selected nominees must apply for the honor. Applications close April 13. Semifinalists will be announced May 22, finalists in September and the winner later in the fall.
To qualify, nominees must teach in state-accredited K-12 public schools and still be teaching during the 2027-28 school year.
The program is sponsored by the Boettcher Foundation with support from the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, Blue Bell Ice Cream and Colorado PTA.
