Denver Teachers Awards

Denver Teachers' Awards has extended the deadline for nominations for the Excellence in Education Awards for teachers and the Helen Phelps Awards for community volunteers. The DTA website is currently being updated with the following information:

Nomination Deadline Extended for Denver Teachers' Awards

Excellence in Education and Helen Phelps 2021-2022 Awards

The deadline for submission of the nomination packet for the 2021-2022 Excellence in Education Awards for teachers and the Helen Phelps Awards for volunteers has been extended to March 23 at 3 p.m. due to the COVID restrictions in Denver. The nominations may be delivered to North High School in care of Rebecca Caldwell. North High is located at 2960 North Speer Boulevard. The entrance to the parking lot is located at 32nd Avenue at Eliot Street.

If you have questions, our website, www.denverteachersawards.org has contact information. Thanks!

Denver Teachers' Awards Visionary Denver businessman, Charles W. Lerch, started Denver Teachers Awards’ in 1957.  He was dedicated to strengthening our foundation of freedom and believed that the most efficient way to do this was by encouraging quality education in the Denver Public Schools.  The tradition has been con...

Today we would like to present Mr. James Duran, 2019-2020 recipient of the Denver Teachers Award. Mr. Duran has been teaching for 28 years, and has spent the past six years teaching wood shop at Skinner Middle School. James was nominated by Jessica Frahm, Senior Team Lead, and Joseph Waldon, School Social Worker at Skinner. The Principal at Skinner Middle School is Mr. Grant Varveris.

In Mr. Duran's woodshop, the top priority is safety. After that, it's letting the kids do the work. He understands that students are eager to get their hands onto their projects, so he facilitates an atmosphere where students are not just busy, but engaged. Crafting a project from start to finish not only provides kids with a beautiful handmade piece to take home, but also a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. Considering that his students range in age from 11 to 15, it is remarkable how independent, empowered, and competent they are in his woodshop.

We are told that when Mr. Duran asks, "What's going on with you?" kids know that he truly cares and wants to know so he can help. He reminds many of a father figure with a demeanor that manages to be both firm and warm. They listen to him. They want to make him proud. He uses this bond with kids to steer them to choose a better path.

Growing up in the neighborhood and having taught at Skinner for 21 years, Mr. Duran is adored by both the school and surrounding communities. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Duran!

Tonight we would like to present Mrs. Amy Jones a 2019-2020 recipient of the Denver Teacher Award. Mrs. Jones has worked in education for sixteen years, including 12 years at Lincoln Elementary School as a fourth-grade teacher, Teacher Leader, Teacher Mentor, a member of the School Leadership Team, Leader of the Student Council Team, and above all, a role model to peers as well as all of her students. Mrs Jones was nominated by teacher Andrew Kovar and former student Savannah Kovar. Her Principal is Janice Spearman.

Mrs. Jones provides differentiated classroom instruction that encourages students to work together within a rigorous learning environment. She always holds her students accountable for their individual learning, and truly cares about the future of each individual student that passes through her classroom door.

A former student has this to say: "She makes sure that we are learning and getting things done while really caring about us and making her class fun! Mrs. Jones is always there for any student in her class. If you are looking for a teacher to talk to, Mrs. Jones is the way to go. Mrs. Jones can turn your rainy days to sunny days and is always ready to see you in class. She makes classes engaging for everyone. Mrs. Jones is a teacher that is always going to be supporting you and helping you learn and do your best in her classroom!"

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Jones!

Tonight we would like to recognize Jennifer Shindoll as 2019-2020 recipient of the Denver Teacher Award. Jennifer has been teaching for 15 years and has been in her current position as a 5th grade teacher at Willow Elementary for the past 2 years. Jennifer was nominated by Lourdes Gonzalez, 4/5 Senior Team Lead and her principal at Willow Elementary, Amy Gile.

Jen has created an inclusive environment for students and their academic needs. She is an intervention teacher for our guided reading block. She works with our Special Education Partner for fourth and fifth grade to ensure that all students' needs are met in her classroom. She also communicates daily with parents about student progress.

We've been told that: "Jen is such an amazing teacher. When you walk into her room, you are instantly mesmerized. From the fossils to the wasp's nests, from the inspirational quotes to the Harry Potter paraphernalia, it is a fifth grader's dream learning space."

According to one of her students, "She is kind and caring. She is funny. She makes learning fun. She is very responsible and she is organized. It feels like you are at a party if you are having fun with her and learning. Overall, she is just a really good teacher!"

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer Shindoll!

Today we would like to present Mui Lee, 2019-2020 recipient of the Denver Teacher Award. Ms. Lee has been teaching for 11 years and has spent the last four years teaching in her current position as a 7th grade science teacher at McAuliffe International School. Her principal is Kurt Dennis. Ms. Lee was nominated by students Leah Mehringer and Claiborne Lloyd.

Her nominators tell us that Mui inspires critical and creative thinking by using a variety of experiments, simulations and videos to demonstrate key concepts. She encourages partner and teamwork and makes sure that each and every student is engaged in all activities and experiments. "She rewards and encourages us for sharing our answers even if they are incorrect, and will help us understand our mistakes in a supportive environment to keep us engaged."

Mui's nominators candidly report that "Ms. Lee is incredibly hard working and will not give up on us even though our class may not always be very well behaved." Ms. Lee always uses real life examples and simulations to help the student relate the concepts learned to their life. "She helps us discuss our findings in a supportive and encouraging environment."

Please join us in congratulating Mui Lee.

We mentioned previously that we wanted to share some more details about each of this year's recipients.

Today we would like to present Inmaculada Martin-Hernandez. Dr. Martin Hernandez has been teaching for 15 years and has been teaching spanish at North High School for the last 5 years. Inma was nominated by Cris Sandoval, Principal Resident/Assistant Principal and School Community Liaison, Graciela Guevara. North High School Principal is Scott Wolf.

Her nomination portfolio included the following:

Inmaculada continually demonstrates the capacity to improve the classroom and school environment. Inma is an instrumental force in the ongoing process of assisting and integrating students into school culture systems, as well as creating brave spaces for students who are on the precipice of being fully bilingual. Dr. Martin-Hernandez engages in tireless work to promote and ensure students have proper credentials to earn the honorable Seal of Biliteracy.

Her perseverance, positive outlook, and overall commitment and dedication are exemplary, beyond compare, held in the highest esteem, and foster the mission and vision of North High School.

Please join us in congratulating Inmaculada!

It is with great belated pleasure that we present the recipients of the 2019-2020 Denver Teachers' Awards!

Inmaculada Martin Hernandez North High School

Kimberly Esbenshade Southmoor Elementary

Mui Lee McAuliffe International School

James Duran Skinner Middle School

Jennifer Shindoll Willow Elementary

Amy Jones Lincoln Elementary

Congratulations to all recipients! In addition, we would like to congratulate Donna Lucero, recipient of the 2020 Helen Phelps Award for community service!

Since we were unable to hold the annual Excellence in Education Banquet to recognize the recipients, look for more information here and on our website coming in the near future. We hope to feature more details and a photo or two of each recipient! Recipients will be receiving a personalized glass apple, a cash award, their nomination portfolio and our thanks for the hard work and inspirational service to our students and school communities.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

The Denver Teachers' Awards organization wants to update you on the status of the Excellence in Education Banquet and the granting of the Denver Teachers' Awards as well as the Helen Phelps Award for 2020. The Excellence in Education Banquet has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. The nominations have been reviewed and several Distinguished Teacher Awards will be granted this year. We look forward to presenting the list of this year's recipients as soon as the recipients have been notified.

Just a reminder that nominations are due on February 19, 2020 for The Denver Teachers' Award and it is coming right up! If you are working on a nomination for that extraordinary teacher in your life and you have any questions, please let us know! We would be happy to assist you and get your questions answered. There is a lot of information on our website, www.denverteachersawards.org about the nomination process including numbers to call.

This year's Banquet is May 7th.

Denver Teachers' Awards For more information, contact Dorolyn Griebenaw 303-234-0569 or 303-477-4124 or Henry Schonewise 303-856-6528 or Sharon Tave at 303-399-3975 or 303-257-9893

The Denver Teachers' Awards would like to welcome everyone back to school. We have been working over the summer to prepare for this year's main event: The Excellence in Education Banquet, honoring Denver's outstanding teachers, to be held in May of 2020. If you are thinking of nominating an outstanding teacher, you can find information on our website as it develops. Nominations will be due in February of 2020. Over the next several weeks, we would like to spotlight the Denver Teachers' Awards recipients from our 2019 banquet..

Our first Is Ivory Allen. Ivory has a unique talent for developing a positive and nurturing classroom environment, and had been doing it at Samuels Elementary School.. Everyday is a celebration of learning, precision, and ownership in Ivory's kindergarten classroom. Thanks Ivory!

Nearly 140 people attended the 61st annual Denver Teachers' Awards dinner at the DoubleTree Hotel Denver last night. The Board of the Denver Teachers' Awards would like to congratulate and present this year's class of Denver Distinguished Teachers! They are, from left to right:

Ivory Allen Samuels Elementary School
Ruby Lopez Compass Academy
Tom Bergen North High School
Brett Butera Thomas Jefferson High School
Luke Morin DSST Byers Middle School
Sarah Damhof Bromwell Elementary School
Sable Edwards Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences