Colorado Educator Talent Pool

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) maintains a resource of emerging classroom leaders who are considered distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be candidates for advisory boards, task forces and other recognition programs.

For 2024, we are requesting submissions confidential recommendations of elementary level leaders, representing the very best of Colorado’s educators. These emerging leaders have a minimum of five years’ experience and a maximum of 15 years, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom and who positively affect school culture and student achievement.

Candidates are building level personnel. They are typically classroom teachers and are recognized by peers and supervisors as unique in their growth. They may also be educators who are outstanding but have not received other recognitions of special interest.

We invite you to recommend distinguished classroom teachers and/or principals who have demonstrated each of the following:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective and innovative instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments and leadership beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;
• Early- to mid-career educators who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Note: For 2024, we are especially looking to expand the pool of early- to mid- career elementary and secondary teachers.

Submission Process

Please complete the online recommendation form for each recommended individual and upload:

• a one-page letter explaining how this person meets the specified criteria; and
• the recommended educator’s most recent available résumé. For planning purposes, the following document contains the information requested in the online recommendation form (see pages 2-3).
  • ​Talent Pool Recommendation Form (Word)

Talent Pool Recommendation Form

For additional information, please contact:

Patty Gleason
Grants Program Administration
Gleason_P@cde.state.co.us