2014 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Elizabeth Miner was named the 2014 Colorado Teacher of the Year by the commissioner of education at an assembly held at Miner's school on Oct. 14, 2013. Miner is a physical education teacher at Fitzsimmons Middle School in Platte Canyon School District.

Miner was selected for the honor based on her vision and ability to effectively represent teaching professionals across Colorado, and her capacity to both inspire students and get results. She says teaching is not work for her; it is a heart-felt calling. Miner loves coming to school each day and positively impacting her students.

Miner has been a middle school physical education teacher at Fitzsimmons Middle School for seven years, where she focuses on cross-curricular core skill development. She is as aggressive with academics in and out of her class as she is with physical activity and says her greatest love is the daily privilege to guide her students down the right path. Miner enjoys teaching students the skills they need to become successful, self-sufficient, healthy and active adults.

As the Colorado Teacher of the Year, Miner will have the chance to participate in many professional development opportunities through the National Teacher of the Year program and will even get to attend a ceremony at the White House and go to Space Camp for a week. The Colorado Education Initiative, along with Adams State College, SMART Technologies, Colorado Free Masons and Blue Bell Ice Cream provided sponsorship for the award.

Elizabeth Miner can be reached at:

E-mail: eminer2014cotoy@gmail.com

• Visit Elizabeth's blog: A Colorado Teacher's Journey
• View a message from 2014 Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Miner

Colo. Commissioner of Education Robert Hammond and Deputy Commissioner Keith Owen, Ph.D., congratulate Elizabeth Miner.

2014 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Elizabeth Miner and President Barack Obama.