Teacher Of The Year

Beginning in 1998, the Grand Lodge with the assistance of the Public Schools Committee has honored the Colorado Teacher of the Year. Since 1963 the Colorado State Board of Education (Board) and the Colorado Department of Education (Department) have selected one teacher to represent all Colorado teachers as the Colorado Teacher of the Year.

Beginning in 1998, a Mason and member of the Public Schools Committee, has sat on the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee along with educators and other education professionals. In addition to participation in the selection process, the Grand Lodge awards a $2,500 grant to the Colorado Teacher of the Year to help defray expenses associated with travel and work in conjunction with this office. No funding is provided by the State to support the teacher's work as Teacher of the Year.

Since partnering with the Board and Department, the Masons have helped to honor the following teachers:

2007 Susan Ryder
2006 Adele Bravo
2005 Kathy Heavers
2004 Henry McIntosh
2003 Lorynda Archibeque Sampson
2002 Deborah Johnston
2001 Joan Kniss
2000 Craig Cogswell
1999 Sharon Ivie
1998 Mark Mavrogianes

Learn more about the Teacher of the Year program and how a teacher can apply to be considered for this honor at the Colorado Department of Education website.