Centennial Elementary School was brimming with excitement on Thursday afternoon.

Like last year, a teacher from Harrison School District 2 has been selected as one of eight finalists for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Unlike last year’s recipient, first-grade teacher Emily Gaytan was surprised with the good news as she was teaching her class.

As school, district and state officials and local news reporters continued to gather near the school’s front office, not even Gaytan's husband, Robert, knew what was in store.

“I was like, ‘Whoa, this isn’t just another teaching observation,’” he said. “This is a little overwhelming.”

The shock rippled as the contingent that included D-2 Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova, State Board of Education

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