Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award

Apply for or Nominate a Candidate for K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award

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. The application package includes four required items:

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

The application deadline is MIDNIGHT Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The winner will be announced on or before June 23, 2023. The awardee will be honored at the August 2, 2023 RMAG luncheon, held at a restaurant in downtown Denver.

For questions, contact Donna Anderson at edoutreach@rmag.org.

2022 Recipient of the K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award: Lisa Taylor

The 2022 K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Lisa Taylor, science teacher at Bethlehem Lutheran School in Lakewood, Colorado. Lisa’s 7th grade Earth Science course connects students to the natural world, coupling labs and outdoor field trips to make the course relevant. She uses the Front Range foothills as a natural laboratory. Lisa’s students test water samples for purity, salinity and hardness. They also test soils samples for permeability.

Lisa personally received $2000 to further her professional activities and her school received $2000 to be used for Earth Science curriculum as directed by Ms. Taylor. Lisa was recognized at the August 3, 2022 RMAG luncheon and was given a complimentary one-year membership to the RMAG, funded by the RMAG Foundation.

Lisa Taylor 2022 K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award winner:

Lisa Taylor 2022 K-12 Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award winner

Recent Recipients of the Earth Science Teacher of the Year Award

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