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News Release - Colorado Department of Education announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist Mesa County Valley School District 51
Sept. 9, 2025
Colorado Department of Education announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist from Mesa County Valley School District 51
Liz Fitzgerald of Mesa View Elementary named a finalist
GRAND JUNCTION -- Today, Liz Fitzgerald, who teaches first grade at Mesa View Elementary, was surprised with the news that she is among the eight finalists in the running to be Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Colorado State Board of Education member Sherri Wright (CD3), Boettcher Foundation’s Vice President of Grants & Programs Tiffany Anderson, Colorado Department of Education Chief Communications Officer Emma Garrett-Nelson, Mesa County Valley School Board President Andrea Haitz, Mesa County Valley School District 51 Superintendent Brian Hill, and Mesa View Elementary School Principal Stacey Cohen surprised Ms. Fitzgerald with the news.
Eight Teacher of the Year finalists were selected from the 22 semifinalists who were announced in June 2025. This year, there were 419 applicants from 109 districts, representing a 375% increase from the previous year.
This was the seventh teacher out of eight who have been named finalists over the past week. The eighth finalist will be announced next week. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in October.
Each finalist received $1,500 from the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation, and each finalist’s school received $500 from the Boettcher Foundation.
“The Teacher of the Year finalists showcase the very best of Colorado’s teaching profession,” said Anderson of the Boettcher Foundation. “We are grateful to help elevate their voices and shine a light on the remarkable role educators play in our communities.”
Today’s finalist is:
Liz Fitzgerald, Mesa View Elementary, Mesa County Valley School District 51
Liz Fitzgerald has been an educator for 17 years. She has been recognized as a FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree and received the Outstanding Coach Award from the National FIRST Lego League. Inspired by the safe and supportive environments her own teachers created, she is committed to offering the same for her students. Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kansas Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in elementary education from Baker University.
“Liz Fitzgerald brings both passion and creativity to her classroom, making sure her students feel safe and supported as they begin their learning journey,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “Her dedication over 17 years and her commitment to helping students discover their potential truly shine through. We’re thrilled to honor her as a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year.”
"District 51 is incredibly proud of Liz Fitzgerald for being named a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year," said Mesa County Valley School District 51 Superintendent Hill. "For almost two decades, Liz has put her heart into teaching, inspiring her students every day. She is a selfless individual who prides herself on ensuring that all students can succeed, and she is the model for what we look for in a District 51 educator. She represents the best of District 51, the Western Slope, and the state of Colorado as a whole."
The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will represent the state as a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program and serve as a teaching ambassador to communities and organizations around the state and nation.
The 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.
9 de septiembre de 2025
El Departamento de Educación de Colorado anuncia al finalista al Premio al Maestro del Año de Colorado 2026 del Distrito Escolar 51 del Condado de Mesa Valley.
Liz Fitzgerald, de la escuela primaria Mesa View, fue nombrada finalista.
GRAND JUNCTION -- Hoy, Liz Fitzgerald, maestra de primer grado en la escuela primaria Mesa View, se ha llevado una sorpresa al conocer que es una de las ocho finalistas que optan al premio al Maestro del Año 2026 de Colorado.
Sherri Wright, miembro de la Junta de Educación del Estado de Colorado (CD3), la vicepresidenta de Becas y Programas de la Fundación Boettcher, Tiffany Anderson; la directora de Comunicaciones del Departamento de Educación de Colorado, Emma Garrett-Nelson; la presidenta de la Junta Escolar del Condado de Mesa Valley, Andrea Haitz; el superintendente del Distrito Escolar 51 del Condado de Mesa, Brian Hill; la directora de Mesa View, Stacey Cohen, sorprendieron a la Sra. Fitzgerald con la noticia.
Se seleccionaron ocho finalistas de entre los 22 semifinalistas que se anunciaron en junio de 2025. Este año, hubo 419 candidatos de 109 distritos, lo que supone un aumento del 375 % con respecto al año anterior.
Estos fueron el quinto y siete maestro de los ocho que serán nombrados finalistas en las próximas semanas. El ganador del premio al Maestro del Año de Colorado 2026 se anunciará en octubre.
Cada finalista recibió 1500 dólares del Departamento de Educación de Colorado y de la Fundación Boettcher, y la escuela de cada finalista recibió 500 dólares de la Fundación Boettcher.
La finalista de hoy es:
Liz Fitzgerald lleva 17 años dedicada a la educación. Ha sido reconocida como FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree y ha recibido el premio Outstanding Coach Award de la National FIRST Lego League. Inspirada por los entornos seguros y propicios que crearon sus propios maestros, se ha comprometido a ofrecer lo mismo a sus alumnos. Liz obtuvo una licenciatura en educación primaria por la Kansas Wesleyan University y un máster en educación primaria por la Baker University.
“Liz Fitzgerald aporta pasión y creatividad a su aula, asegurándose de que sus alumnos se sientan seguros y apoyados al comenzar su viaje de aprendizaje”, afirmó Susana Córdova, comisionada de Educación de Colorado. “Su dedicación durante más de 17 años y su compromiso por ayudar a los alumnos a descubrir su potencial realmente brillan con luz propia. Estamos encantados de honrarla como finalista al premio Maestro del Año de Colorado”.
“El Distrito 51 está muy orgulloso de Liz Fitzgerald por haber sido nombrada finalista al premio Maestra del Año de Colorado," dijo el superintendente Hill del Distrito Escolar 51 del Valle del Condado de Mesa. "Durante casi dos décadas, Liz se ha dedicado en cuerpo y alma a la enseñanza, inspirando a sus alumnos cada día. Es una persona desinteresada que se enorgullece de garantizar que todos los alumnos puedan tener éxito, y es el modelo de lo que buscamos en un educador del Distrito 51. Ella representa lo mejor del Distrito 51, la zona occidental y el estado de Colorado en su conjunto”.
El programa está patrocinado por la Fundación Boettcher y cuenta con el apoyo de colaboraciones con la Asociación de Educación de Colorado, la Universidad Estatal Adams, y Blue Bell Ice Cream.
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La visión del Departamento de Educación de Colorado es crear entornos educativos equitativos en los que todos los estudiantes y el personal de Colorado prosperen. Nuestro papel es mejorar los resultados de los estudiantes y garantizar que los estudiantes y las familias de todo Colorado tengan acceso a escuelas de alta calidad, sirviendo, guiando y elevando a los 178 distritos escolares y BOCES de nuestro estado.
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UPDATED
September 9, 2025
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