For the first time, a Greeley-Evans School District 6 teacher has been named the Colorado teacher of the year.

Stephen Paulson, a social studies teacher at Greeley Central High School, was named the 2026 winner by the Colorado Department of Education during a surprise ceremony Thursday morning at the high school.

Paulson has taught in District 6 for all of his 15 years in education. He’s in his third year at Greeley Central after previously teaching at Greeley West.

The first Colorado teacher of the year award was presented in 1964.

“I think for the students and the school and the city of Greeley to get recognized is what means the most to me,” Paulson said. “Sometimes our reputation is not accurate, especially in Northern Colorado. I think sometimes people look down on Greeley, they l

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