Grand Junction, CO - This week, the Colorado Department of Education announced the semifinalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year, and District 51 is excited to share that two of the 22 teachers selected are from our district.

Congratulations to Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary and Stephanie LeCount from Grand Junction High School on this incredible honor!

Fitzgerald and LeCount were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 419 applicants representing 106 school districts statewide. Having not one, but two D51 teachers selected is a tremendous recognition, not just of their individual dedication and talent, but of the strength and quality of educators across our entire district.

The Colorado Teacher of the Year program honors outstanding K–12 educators who make a lasting impact on their students, schools, and communities. The selection process is highly competitive and mirrors the standards of the national Teacher of the Year program.

“We’re proud to see educators from District 51 recognized among this year’s semifinalists,” said Dr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51. “We appreciate the work all of our teachers do each and every day to support our students, and we’re cheering on Ms. Fitzgerald and Ms. LeCount as they move forward in the process!”

Fitzgerald and LeCount now move on to the next stage of the selection process. Finalists will be announced in September, with the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year named in October.

The educator chosen as Colorado’s Teacher of the Year will represent more than 55,000 educators across the state, receive national recognition in Washington, D.C., and earn a $5,000 award courtesy of the Boettcher Foundation.

Learn more about the program at: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeawards/teacheroftheyear

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For more information, please contact District 51 Public Information Officer Callie Berkson at callie.berkson@d51schools.org or 505.217.6435