Glenwood Springs teacher named finalist for national honor

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – Glenwood Springs Center Faculty science instructor Autumn Rivera is now one in all 4 finalists for the Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months honor awarded by the Council of Chief State Faculty Officers.

Rivera grew to become eligible for the award when she was named Colorado’s 2022 Instructor of the 12 months in October. She’s is Colorado’s first finalist for Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months since 1994.

“I nonetheless am just a little bit in shock to be amongst these wonderful educators,” Rivera instructed Denver7’s Jason Gruenauer. “All 56 of us are wonderful, and to be chosen as one of many 4, and actually getting to speak with a few of them yesterday, I simply am so impressed with who they’re. And I’m simply very honored to have the ability to be listed amongst them.”

College students at Glenwood Springs Center Faculty faculty instructed the Colorado choice committee that Ms. Rivera helps them perceive what science actually means and stated they didn’t suppose they’d be as within the topic if she wasn’t their instructor. Rivera believes the nationwide choice committee may be impressed with the best way she encourages her college students to be concerned in the neighborhood round them.

“For instance, they have been capable of work with Sweetwater Lake and actually spent a while working with saving this lake on the western slope of Colorado,” she stated. “Now it’s gotten to some extent the place it hopefully goes to change into a state park, and that was lots because of the college students work.”

With 16 years of instructing expertise beneath her belt, many academics at Glenwood Springs Center Faculty have come to make use of Rivera as a useful resource. She has mentored lots of the district’s new academics over time. They are saying she balances grace, respect, and transparency in all the pieces she does on the faculty – and at all times ensures that voices are heard throughout discussions. Rivera’s voice and advocacy is at all times to do what’s greatest for the scholars.

The only real nationwide finalist for Instructor of the 12 months is anticipated to be introduced later this spring. If chosen because the 2022 Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months, Rivera could be the primary Colorado instructor to carry that title since 1978. It could additionally give her the chance to spend the remainder of the 12 months serving as an envoy for schooling and an advocate for all academics and college students throughout the nation.

“It’s only a loopy factor to even give it some thought,” Rivera stated. “However to have the ability to be Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months would simply give me an ideal alternative to get out and actually converse and share our tales of Colorado, share the tales of our college students, and getting concerned.”

Denver7 is proud to associate with the Colorado Division of Training for the Colorado Instructor of the 12 months Program.