Susan Elliott: 2009 Teacher of the Year

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has named Susan Elliott the 2009 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Elliott is a Douglas County high school teacher. She succeeds Seth Berg, Telluride EA-CEA member, as Teacher of the Year.

Elliott is a teacher of students in 9th-12th grades at Highlands Ranch High School in Douglas County School District. An instructor for deaf and hard of hearing students in their English and social studies classes, Elliott says, "I believe in my students. I know that anything is possible for them."

Elliott was honored at a November 11 reception hosted by CDE. She said she believes that teaching is an art that holds the power to shape the future of America, and every student deserves a great teacher who is committed to continuous improvement. Elliott added that she feels richly rewarded when students are so absorbed in learning that they express disappointment when the bell rings.

Elliott's principal, Jerry Goings, has high praise for her. Goings said, "The environment she has built here is amazing. Susan truly believes all students have a chance to find their own success."

A seven-member committee, including CEA staff member Deborah Fallin, selects the Teacher of the Year from among exemplary classroom teachers who are nominated by their peers or by parents. The process includes a written application, letters of recommendation, classroom visits, endorsements from the teacher’s district, and personal interviews.

Elliott will also be the Colorado nominee for National Teacher of the Year honors and will serve as a teaching ambassador to communities and organizations around the state and nation. The Colorado Teacher of the Year represents the entire teaching profession in Colorado. Nominees are judged on their ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities. They are expected to play an active role in the community and to have earned the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.

Finalists for the 2009 Colorado Teacher of the Year were Lynn Jackson, a fourth grade teacher at Eldorado K-8 in Superior, and Nicholas Kawalec, a reading teacher at Scott Carpenter Middle School, Denver.

CDE and the Colorado State Board of Education sponsor the Teacher of the Year program and are supported by Colorado Masons, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, SMARTer Kids Foundation, and SMART Technologies Inc.

Listen to a November 26 interview with Susan Elliott on "Colorado Matters," a program aired daily on KCFR/National Public Radio. Go to KCFR, click on Colorado Matters on the right-side menu, and search for "Teacher of the Year."