2nd grade teacher, Berthoud Elementary School

“The students are what I love the most about teaching. I love that every one comes with their own personality, passions and strengths. There is nothing better than when the lightbulb goes off in their brain and you can see it on their face.”

3rd grade teacher, Berthoud Elementary School

“I love seeing the glow kids get when they are engaged in learning, or when the lightbulb goes off when they are learning something challenging.”

K-8th grade deaf and hard of hearing teacher, Chappelow K-8 Arts Magnet School

“My deaf and hard of hearing students hold a special place in my heart. My favorite part about teaching is the strong relationships I have built with all of my students and being trusted enough to be their safe space.”

K-5th grade multicategorical program special education teacher, Werner Elementary School

“What I love most about teaching is seeing kiddos with difficulties grow and see their own growth.”

K-5th grade English language development teacher, Linton Elementary School

“My favorite thing about teaching is when my students have an ‘aha’ moment and they’re so proud of themselves. Celebrating their successes, supporting their learning and having fun with our creative activities is why I’m a teacher. My multilingual students work extremely hard and are respectful, appreciative and exemplary human beings.”

5th grade teacher, Kruse Elementary School

“I love engaging my learners through game play and read alouds. Watching my students generate their own understanding and engage in meaningful conversations and problem solving makes my heart happy.”

Kindergarten teacher, Olander Elementary School

“I love teaching reading and introducing students to new books, as this encourages them to learn more about people that are different than them and the world around them. I am incredibly passionate about working with students with disabilities as well as different backgrounds, so having a diverse library ensures that all students feel seen and reflected in the books I have in our classroom.”

9th-12th grade social studies and English language development teacher, Poudre High School

“I love watching students grow into young adults. Graduation day is always my favorite because I see them ready to embark on their future after overcoming many challenges. It is truly amazing to witness them do things like realize their potential, learn a new language and develop their sense of self.”

6th-8th grade Spanish teacher, Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School

“I love watching that light bulb moment in my students’ eyes when I am talking all in Spanish. Also, when they become creative with their answers and create language with what they know!”

K-5th grade reading specialist/interventionist, Kruse Elementary School

“I love being able to create a safe and loving place for children to learn and find their personal strengths.”

2nd grade teacher, Linton Elementary School

“I love connecting with the students and seeing how much they grow each year, both mentally and intellectually. They inspire me each day.”

Kindergarten teacher, Kruse Elementary School

“I have two favorite things about teaching. First, being able to see kids explore that innate love of learning is really special. Over the course of a school year, I have the opportunity to see little five- and six-year-olds grow to see themselves as readers, writers, math thinkers and scientists. Second, I love the little community we build together in our classroom. Getting to know my students and helping them make connections among one another through work and play is genuinely rewarding.”

4th grade teacher, Linton Elementary School

“I love the excitement in a child’s eyes when they are learning something new or they have just begun to understand a difficult concept. I also love the relationships I am able to build with my students. I attend their soccer games, music performances and plays. Getting to know them outside of school is so important.”

Preschool teacher, Putnam Elementary School

“I love seeing what students create when they build together with Legos. The creations they make are incredibly unique.”

First grade teacher, Shepardson Elementary School

“What I find most fulfilling about teaching is igniting the enthusiasm for learning among my students. I’m thrilled to transition to a STEM school where we will engage in enriching, hands-on activities every day. Bringing my therapy dog, Ranger, to school is a highlight of my week as he brings smiles to both students and staff.”

2nd grade teacher, Linton Elementary School

“What I love the most about teaching is the relationships I get to build with students, their families and other educators.”

9th-12th grade language arts teacher, Fossil Ridge High School

“I enjoy creating a place where students feel welcome and comfortable and are willing to take chances and grow as readers and writers. It is so much fun to create a community of learners and see them accomplish tasks they didn’t think they could do at the start of the year.”

1st grade teacher, Kruse Elementary School

“I love forming connections with students and their families. Encouraging curiosity and a love of learning can have a lasting impact on students’ attitudes toward education.”

Preschool teacher, The Family Center/La Familia

“As teachers, I love that we are able to connect with kids. We can feed their imagination and give them tools to succeed in the world that go beyond reading and writing.”

K-5th grade special education teacher, Maplewood Elementary School

“I love watching students discover their passions and develop the skills to explore them in healthy and productive ways. When children learn how to self-regulate their emotions, clearly communicate with others and demonstrate self-discipline, they are more likely to not only develop and maintain healthy relationships but also access meaningful and productive employment. It is my passion to assist and support my students in acquiring these skills.”

3rd grade teacher, Riverview PK-8 School

“It brings me so much joy to be able to bring the love of learning to all students in my room through a loving, safe and enthusiastic environment. I know I’ve done my job well when students are still giggling about something I did during a lesson days later. I love creating a space that is full of trust and risk-taking. Those are moments when I feel like I’m impacting students the most and creating life-long learners.”

3rd grade teacher, Riverview PK-8 School

“I love watching students be curious and learn about the world they live in! Their brains absorb so much in 3rd grade, and I love being a part of all they learn. The best moment as a teacher is watching a lightbulb go off in their head.”

1st grade teacher, Platte Valley Elementary School

“I love the classroom family that we create each year. Each student is an individual, and I am passionate about helping each child be the best person and student they can be. I love seeing students respect each other’s differences and become a cohesive group, which builds trust and security so that students can reach their full potential and learn effectively. It’s amazing to see how far they have come at the end of each year; it’s so hard to see them go, but I am always delighted to be given the gift of teaching a new group each year.”

6th & 7th grade science teacher, Cache La Poudre Middle School

“I am creating a calming corner in my science classroom. I love teaching students life skills that apply to themselves rather than only teaching content (which I also love). As a kid, I struggled to regulate, and I would have loved that skill as a middle schooler.”

8th grade U.S. history teacher, Cache La Poudre Middle School

“I love making my students’ days a little brighter and teaching them how to be functioning members of society.”

6th-8th grade special education teacher, Cache La Poudre Middle School

“As a special education teacher, I love creating bonds with my students that last far beyond their middle school years. I love seeing them grow into young adults, with hobbies and jobs, and watching them succeed.”

7th grade English teacher, Cache La Poudre Middle School

“As an English teacher, I especially love teaching reading and helping my students cultivate their own reading lives. There’s no greater feeling than seeing my students find a love and appreciation for the different texts they read throughout the school year.”

4th grade teacher, Ponderosa Elementary School

“The impact it has on students is what I love most about teaching. I like giving them a safe place to feel comfortable and like they belong.”

Special education early childhood teacher, Stansberry Early Childhood Center

“I love to design experiences in the classroom that help my students, ages 3-5, grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, academically and physically.”

7th grade math teacher, Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball

“My students are what I love most about learning. There are ups and downs, but ultimately I go home every day thinking of the joy and impact I made. I can’t wait to see how these awesome 7th graders improve our future. They are so deserving of our love, support and belief in them.”

4th grade teacher, Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball

“I love including crafts and fun activities in my lessons to further engage my students. Having a class set of coloring supplies would allow them to be creative if they don’t have their own supplies.”

K-5th grade special education teacher, Bamford Elementary School

“I love getting to know each one of my students’ unique goals, interests and needs. I love seeing the joy on their faces when they master a new skill or do something they enjoy. I love celebrating their wins with them, their friends and their families. I love watching my students (all of whom are neurodiverse) engage in relationships fostered by an inclusive learning environment built by the students, families, staff and community within our school. The way the ‘lightbulb’ moment occurs when a student masters a challenge fills my heart with an incredible amount of joy, love and happiness.”

9th-12th grade English/language arts teacher, Loveland High School

“I love meeting new students and watching them grow as both learners and young adults. I also love watching them find joy in learning and the joy of ‘non-readers’ quietly discovering a love of reading and writing. Some of the books on my list are popular reads for my graphic novel students and those who are traditionally hesitant to pick up a book. Having a variety allows for additional choice, which I enjoy being able to provide for them.”

6th grade literature and 6th-12th grade ELA intervention teacher, Loveland Classical Schools

“I love seeing students make connections in their own lives with the characters from our books, especially Anne from ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ My students are invested in Anne’s development and growth because they can see themselves in her. Seeing her mistakes and her growth after them helps students see that mistakes don’t define them; it’s how they respond and learn from mistakes that develop their character. Getting to see my students face challenging books and succeed is amazing every year.”

Kindergarten teacher, Ponderosa Elementary School

“Making a lasting, positive impression for students and their families is very important to me. I want my students to enjoy their school experience and develop a love of learning, and I aim to set them up for future academic success while making sure they have fun. I am so lucky that I get to watch children grow and experience joy every day.”

3rd grade teacher, Mead Elementary School

“I love teaching because when we make it fun, students are curious and excited to learn. My favorite part is when they are so engaged with learning and working together that they are bummed to go to recess. I love hearing students talk and work together to solve academic challenges and learn how to think, collaborate and be creative.”

Kindergarten teacher, Highland Elementary School

“I love watching the ‘aha’ moments when students make connections and feel true accomplishment and ownership of their learning.”

6th grade English teacher, Timnath Middle-High School

“I love seeing how creative students are and giving them opportunities to try new things, like illustrating their own poems with watercolors, writing and recording their own raps and working collaboratively to solve critical thinking puzzles. Middle school is such an important time for students to explore their identities and try new things. I love helping kids discover more about who they are and develop their confidence.”

7th & 8th grade English, creative writing and theater teacher, Timnath Middle School

“What I love most about teaching is my kids, hands down. They would love everything on this list because it adds to my classroom: the fun atmosphere, the rigorous learning, the chill vibe.”

Preschool teacher, Eyestone Elementary School

“I love the moment when students achieve a goal as well as seeing their faces when they know their letters, letter sounds, numbers and how to write their names.”

4th grade teacher, Rice Elementary School

“What I love most about teaching is the relationships I build with my students. Seeing them grow, both academically and personally, is incredibly rewarding. I believe learning should be fun, and I strive to create an engaging and exciting classroom environment where students look forward to being there every day. The items on my wish list will provide the tools and resources needed to help them be successful and have a memorable year.”

7th & 8th grade science and forensic science teacher, Windsor Middle School

“I love the look on students’ faces when they do something they’ve never done before, whether it’s lighting a Bunsen burner, lifting a fingerprint or making a graph. That moment of wonder and surprise turns even the toughest of middle schoolers into a kid again. I love giving students the chance to prove to themselves that they are smart and capable. Though most people would like to forget middle school ever happened, I know that with every student, my colleagues and I are shaping the next generation and paving the way for what our world will become.”

K-5th grade art teacher, Grandview Elementary

“I love to see students exploring and learning art and design through play. These materials will allow me to foster an engaging learning environment where students will enjoy learning about art history through Picasso tiles, practicing fine motor skills with threading boards and exploring texture and shapes with tessellations and rubbing plates. I hope these materials spark joy and creativity in my students to explore the world of art and design further.”

1st grade teacher, Tozer Primary School

“What I love most about teaching is creating a safe haven for kids. I cherish the opportunity to provide a space where they can make mistakes, learn and grow without fear. It’s incredibly rewarding when they come to me with their struggles or to share something exciting. One of the absolute best parts of teaching is seeing how much they grow over the course of a year and knowing you played a role in that child’s story.”