Amy Okimoto is one of seven finalists statewide for Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She is the Connections Coordinator at Summit Elementary where she teaches social emotional learning and restorative practices to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She also facilitates several student groups including Changemakers, STAR Club and STEAM Club. At the district level, she is the co-facilitator for the Asian American Pacific Islander Affinity Group for AAPI teachers.
“Amy creates a learning environment that is engaging, inclusive, and transformative for her students,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “We are fortunate to have educators like Amy, who continually center their students in their practice and ignite a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.”
This year, the Colorado Department of Education received more than 1,300 nominations for exceptional educators to participate in the Teacher of the Year application process - a record high for the department. Of those nominees, 94 educators completed the application process, nine were selected to hold interviews with the Teacher of the Year Review Committee, and seven were named as finalists. The 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be announced in October 2024.
Each 2025 Teacher of the Year finalist will receive $1,500 funded by the Colorado Department of Education and the Boettcher Foundation. Thanks to funding from the Boettcher Foundation, each finalist’s school will also receive a donation of $500 to support educator recognition efforts.
“We are excited to celebrate Amy Okimoto as a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year 2025,” Superintendent Christopher Smith said. “Amy is an incredible educator whose dedication to social emotional learning and restorative practices has made a big impact at Summit Elementary. Her leadership in student groups and her commitment to fostering a supportive community exemplify the values we hold dear in Cherry Creek Schools.”
Okimoto has been working in education for nearly three decades, and has taught in Arizona, Colorado, as well as in Nepal. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a minor in Asian Studies from Northern Arizona University. Additionally, she also completed her teacher licensure program from NAU. Okimoto also has a master’s degree in cultural and linguistic diversity from Adams State University in Alamosa. Finally, she has completed thirty credit hours toward another master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University. In addition to her work in Cherry Creek Schools, she has served as an affiliate instructor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, written curriculum for History Colorado Center, and was featured in sections of Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms and in the 2022-2023 edition of Planning to Change the World: A Plan Book for Social Justice Educators.
"As an educator, I hope to create learning experiences that are engaging, relevant, responsive and enduring for my students,” Okimoto added. “One of my favorite aspects of my work as a teacher is the opportunity to develop innovative and thoughtful lessons that allow students to truly see themselves as well as serve as a window to the world around them. Often this work requires creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness. I believe that I am an educator who continually centers students in planning, and thus allows for rich learning within my classroom walls."
Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants and Awards Tiffany Anderson said: “Throughout the application and interview process, we heard from educators about the ways that their colleagues support them to be successful. This donation is a way of recognizing and celebrating those partnerships.”
In addition, Blue Bell Ice Cream will provide ice cream for each school to hold an ice cream social event for their teachers and students.
The Colorado Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Boettcher Foundation with support from the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, Blue Bell Ice Cream and Denver7. Information about the program is available on the CDE website.
Posted on 9/6/2024.
