Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award

2024 Recipients of the K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award: Kent Hups and Hannah Winters

The RMAG Foundation and RMAG are very pleased to announce TWO 2024 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Awardees! The two finalists are Kent Hups, Geology and Biology teacher at Northglenn High School, Adams 12 School District and Hannah Winters, science teacher at Performing Arts School on Broadway, Mapleton Public Schools. Both teachers will receive $2000 to further their professional development, and each school will receive $2000 to be used to support their earth science programs.

These two teachers demonstrated excellence in their approach to teaching their students and their passion for earth science. Kent is a long-time teacher with over 20 years of experience and Hannah is a mid-career teacher with 8 years of experience. Both teach in high school, where geology and environment science courses are considered science electives in Colorado.

Kent Hups teaches both geology and biology at Northglenn High School. His geology course is a year-long course focusing on historical and physical geology. He uses geological and topographical map of Colorado as a foundation of learning and instills the importance of working with maps. Mr. Hups utilizes inquiry-based, student directed learning to teach about the rock cycle, fossils, structural geology, tectonics and earthquakes. He incorporates real-world projects and classroom learning to give the students skills to research and find possible solutions to modern day issues such as climate change. His course assessments are not test based but abstract writing and group presentations, giving each student an opportunity to highlight their individual strengths. He plans on using award funds to purchase Virtual Reality devices to enable students to “visit” different geological sites around Colorado and “see” the rocks that they previously have only come from a rock bin.

Another tidbit about Mr. Hups is that he is a volunteer Research Associate with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and spends part of his summers on dinosaur digs with the museum staff.

Kent doing fieldwork with class

Kent and his dog

Hannah Winters teaches 9-12 grade sciences including earth science at Performing Arts School on Broadway, Mapleton Public Schools. Her course is comprehensive, focused on an exploration of the dynamic geological process. She uses hands-on activities, field work and data analytical techniques to gain an understanding of earth processes and the human-earth interactions. Her goal as a teacher is to inspire, generate curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of geoscience process systems. She includes geology, the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere in her teachings. Ms. Winters uses multiple instructional methods and inquiry-based techniques, acknowledging the different learning styles and diverse backgrounds of her students. She believes students understand best through observation, experimentation and interactive learning that leads to increased critical thinking skills. She will use her award to provide more opportunities for students to do field work and develop resources to aid in implementation of performance assessment tools.

Hannah Winters

Hannah with some fishy friends

Both teachers will be recognized at the August 7 RMAG luncheon meeting and given a complimentary one-year membership in the RMAG funded by the RMAG Foundation. Congratulations!

Recent Recipients of the Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award

2023	Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber, Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, CO Shirley Davis, Windsor Charter Academy Early College High School, Windsor, CO
2022	Lisa Taylor, Bethlehem Lutheran School, Lakewood, CO
2021	Tricia Kearns, Webber Middle School, Ft. Collins, CO
2020	Matt Thomas, Alameda International High School, Lakewood, CO Merideth Sparks, Craver Middle School, Colorado City, CO
2018	Matthew Sturdivant, Colorado Early Colleges, Fort Collins, CO
2017	Deborah Munson, Platteville Elementary School, Platteville, CO
2016	Julie Mitchell Erie, High School, Erie, CO
2015	Kent Hups, Northglenn STEM High School, Northglenn, CO

In 2000, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) Foundation instituted a joint award with the RMAG to honor an elementary or secondary school teacher who has promoted teaching of Earth Science to K-12 students in Colorado. The awardee receives a commemorative plaque and a $2000 cash award provided by the RMAG Foundation. The RMAG Foundation also awards the awardee’s school with $2000 designated for its Earth Science program.

The applicant must have a proven record in teaching at an accredited K-12 school in Colorado.

The application package includes four required items:

Completion of the application form including dated signatures from applicant and school administrator
A summary of the course curriculum including:
- Earth Science Teaching Philosophy
- Description of your Earth Science course
- How you and your school will use the award
One letter of recommendation from a school administrator.
One letter of recommendation from a colleague or parent of a student in your class.