Cañon City and Colorado Springs Teachers Named as Finalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Colorado Springs teacher, veteran named finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year

Like last year, a teacher from Harrison School District 2 has been selected as one of eight finalists for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Unlike last year’s recipient, first-grade teacher Emily Gaytan was surprised with the good news as she was teaching her class. Gaytan, along with Cañon City High School teacher Julie Milam were the fifth and sixth teachers out of eight to be named finalists on Thursday. The winner will be announced by the…

Cañon City and Colorado Springs teachers named as finalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) announced on Thursday that two Southern Colorado teachers are among eight finalists for Colorado's 2026 Teacher of the Year. The first, Julie Milam, is a science teacher hailing from Cañon City High School. The other finalist is Emily Gaytan, a first-grade teacher with Harrison School District 2. Milam and Gaytan were selected from 22 semifinalists, the CDE says. Accord…