West Grand educator named finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year
Grand County Library District/Courtesy photograph
A common experience in the West Grand local community produced it to the remaining seven for 2022’s Colorado Instructor of the 12 months.
Every single yr, the Colorado Teacher of the Calendar year system recognizes an exceptionally focused, well-informed and qualified K-12 classroom instructor to signify the full occupation in Colorado. The sole finalist from the top rated 7 turns into Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competitors.
Emmylou Harmon was a single of these finalists. She has been at West Grand High Faculty for 22 many years educating math, science and agriculture through her time there.
Along with her have kindergarten instructor composing a letter of congratulations, a student from above two decades in the past achieved out to Harmon when she was declared as a finalist. The college student instructed Harmon what a distinction she had built in that student’s life.
“You do not know you’re acquiring these tiny consequences like that,” Harmon mentioned. “Those minor ripples that you do not at any time see, so that was truly great. I felt — I never know. I cried, honestly, out of joy and joy to know you make a variance. A good deal of times instructing significant school, you don’t know that you make a distinction.”
Autumn Rivera, a sixth-grade science teacher at Glenwood Springs Middle College in Roaring Fork School District, was named the state’s 2022 finalist. Harmon praised the accomplishments of that teacher and shared her have enthusiasm over getting recognized.
“I was truly seriously honored,” Harmon mentioned. “I can’t believe I created the top rated 7, I feel like which is quite wonderful. I really do not know how numerous people today utilized, but I was incredibly honored and quite humbled to be up there. (I’m) very grateful for all the mentors and instructors that guided me by way of my full life for the reason that I wouldn’t be wherever I am with out all these individuals.”
Passionate about equally math and science, Harmon has concentrated a lot more on science and agriculture in current decades. She’s also in demand of West Grand’s National Honors Modern society, coaches club volleyball, potential customers the county’s 4H club, coordinates wellbeing and wellness for the district, and is president of the West Grand teacher’s union.
Harmon reported she is grateful to be component of these a supportive faculty district, which has authorized her to acquire her own lessons on a variety of topics. The illustration she gave was her greenhouse class that arrived to fruition right after the alternate university closed down, leaving the greenhouse guiding. She expressed desire in producing a class and the district supported her.
“You can choose issues that you’re passionate about and produce a software close to it,” she stated. “They’re open up and inclined to consider these classes.”
Of system, the very best aspect for Harmon proceeds to be her pupils.
“My preferred component about training is certainly the children,” Harmon stated. “They’re my favored element. I appreciate the pupils. I like getting to know them, recognizing the items they like or dislike, instructing them.”
She expressed gratitude to the group for their ongoing support.
Carrianna DePace of Mountain Vista Neighborhood College, Julia Ferre of SkyView Academy, Ashley Lowe of Falcon Middle University, Cristina Vanzo of Craig Center Faculty, and Paula Wilderman of Ascent Classical Academy have been also named as finalists for the 2022 Colorado Instructor of the Year.
