BERTHOUD, Colo. — It’s not often that teachers get treated like celebrities, but that’s how it felt today at Turner Middle School in Berthoud. Jessica May, a family and consumer science teacher, was named the 2024 Colorado Teacher of the Year.
Colorado education commissioner Susana Cordova presented May with the award.
“Our teachers work hard every day and are frequently doing it with no spotlight. This is an opportunity to showcase what they’re doing,” Cordova said.
May was previously a teacher at Conrad Ball Middle School in Loveland. She is the first ever Teacher of the Year for the Thompson School District.
As a FACS teacher, May said she’s passionate about teaching students real world skills.
“Kids are craving it. They’re saying, 'Tell me how to use my debit card. How do I invest? How do I do taxes?'” May said.
Students said they love how she connects individually with them.
“She’s such a good teacher to everyone. She doesn’t have one that’s like her favorite,” said seventh grader Maddox Mills.
Sixth grader Mikah Barrett agreed.
“Our mental well-being is really important to her, and she really checks in on us during the day. And she is just such a great teacher,” Barrett said.
As Teacher of the Year, May will represent all Colorado teachers on a national stage. She hopes to elevate the needs of her fellow educators and the Thompson Valley community she grew up in.
“I did not get here by myself. I have all kind, so many mentors and teaching partners, the kids, and the parents who allow us and trust us to have their child every day. It really is being here together as a family,” May said.
Denver7 is a proud sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year program.
