It's #NationalPrincipalsMonth, and we are celebrating Colorado's school leaders! Principal Gelmarie Ortiz-Nieves leads Barnum Elementary School in Denver Public Schools. Gelmarie has been an educator for 26 years, four of which have been as a principal. She says she enjoys being a leader who builds a "culture of unity where everyone feels welcome and safe and that encourages growth, creativity, and a love of learning.” Gelmarie is passionate about providing educational environments that are positive and nurturing for young learners. When not at school, Gelmarie likes to go to sporting events, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
About us
Our vision is to create an equitable educational environment where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. We serve, guide, and elevate Colorado's 178 school districts, 1,836 schools, and 56,000+ educators to help improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools.
- Website
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http://www.cde.state.co.us/
External link for Colorado Department of Education
- Industry
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- Denver
- Type
- Government Agency
Locations
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Primary
Denver, US
Employees at Colorado Department of Education
Updates
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Colorado's 2024 Teacher of the Year Jessica May (Thompson School District) recently talked with Colorado Parent Magazine about her teaching style, her favorite parts of teaching, and ways that everyone can give back to their favorite teachers. She was announced as the Colorado Teacher of the Year in 2023 and will conclude her term in December. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gBVuQGjv
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For Family Engagement Friday, we are spotlighting the work that the Leroy Elementary School team is doing to help Adams 12 Five Star Schools parents support students in building strong reading skills.
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Students in Cherry Creek School District turned an old school bus into a food truck to cook up and serve breakfast and lunch to their classmates and teachers. The transformation of the school bus into the Campus Creations Food Bus is part of an assignment at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus to teach students real-world skills and hands-on experience. Read more on CBS News: https://lnkd.in/gWAGfeYz
A school bus is being used to give Colorado students experience in the food industry
cbsnews.com
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Thank you to the Boettcher Foundation for their support of our Teacher of the Year program!
We are thrilled to sponsor the Colorado Teacher of the Year Award and partner with the Colorado Department of Education. As the backbone of every community, our Colorado educators lead everyday in their classrooms. Congratulations to the 2025 Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon of DELTA High School in Denver, for impacting the promise and potential of Colorado young people. Janet is pictured with Tiffany Anderson, Boettcher's VP of Grants & Programs. Read CDE's news release: https://lnkd.in/gwFRNFCw #ColoradoLeaders #COTeacheroftheYear #ReachNewHeights #ColoradoEducation Colorado Department of Education
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October is National Principal Month, and we're celebrating the school leaders who serve and support Colorado educators, students, and families. Ann Alfonso is the principal of Bethke Elementary School in the Poudre School District. She says the most rewarding part of being a principal is watching children learn how to read, solve problems, and express themselves through writing and the arts. She told us that “The best part of my day is when a student comes to my office to read to me!” Ann joined the school when it opened in 2008 and has loved watching it grow. “This special school has become everything I hoped and planned for it to be -- a welcoming, positive, collaborative professional learning community that honors all learners.” She also enjoys working with educators and helping them grow in their craft. “I love when former students write to me or come back and share how our school made a difference in their lives.” In her free time, Ann loves exploring the outdoors outdoors with her son and husband.
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Colorado Department of Education reposted this
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS to Janet Damon, Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year! 🏆 As a history teacher at Delta High School, she’s changing lives and making history of her own! 🎓🙌 We’re so proud to have such an inspiring leader and role model at DPS! Your dedication and passion inspire us all—thank you for making a difference every day! 🍎 More info- https://lnkd.in/gwFRNFCw #TeacherOfTheYear #Denver #teacherfeature #teacherappreciation #thankateacher Colorado Department of Education Dr. Alex Marrero Janet Damon
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Congratulations to our 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon! Janet is a Denver Public Schools graduate who teaches at DELTA High School. Janet says her students lived experiences "are a tapestry, and they bring knowledge and wisdom that are different from some of the content of our textbooks and curricula. My goal is to create a classroom where all students are seen and heard." Read CDE's news release: https://lnkd.in/gwFRNFCw
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Happy School Custodian Day to the dedicated professionals who help keep our schools safe and clean for Colorado students! Staff and students at Rocky Top Middle School at Adams 12 Five Star Schools shared their appreciation for their custodians.
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Missing the summer months? Check out the Colorado State Library's Sunshine and Stories podcast to learn about the ways that our state's libraries got children and families excited about reading this year! https://lnkd.in/gi3Qx5GV