Overview

• Paulson is the first winner from Greeley-Evans School District 6, where he teaches at Greeley Central High School.
• He leads the school’s AVID program and created the Career Mentor Project that pairs sophomores with local professionals.
• He launched the Castle Clean Up volunteer effort that combines caring for the historic campus with mentoring younger students.
• The award package includes $5,000 from the Boettcher Foundation, $5,000 from the Colorado Department of Education, a student scholarship from Adams State University, and a trip to NASA Space Camp.
• CDE announced the honor during a surprise gym ceremony, and Paulson will begin his term in January 2026 with plans to represent Colorado in the National Teacher of the Year program.