For Immediate Release
October 12, 2023
Rivera to Receive National Educator of the Year Award
Colorado Science Teacher Autumn Rivera selected for top honor from the Association for Middle Level Education
Columbus, OH – Autumn Rivera, a middle school science teacher from Glenwood Springs, CO, is the recipient of the 2023 Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Educator of the Year Award. The award, which will be presented this November during the 50th Annual Conference for Middle Level Education, recognizes outstanding educators who have made a significant impact in middle level education and on the lives of students aged 10-15 through leadership, vision, and advocacy. “Autumn is so deserving of this honor,” said Stephanie Simpson, CEO of AMLE. “She embodies the middle school philosophy and is exactly the type of teacher that young adolescents need and deserve. Autumn consistently goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students and school community.”
Rivera began her teaching career in 2005 at Janitell Jr. High School in Widefield, CO, and has taught 6th grade science at Glenwood Springs Middle School since 2012. While at Glenwood Springs, she helped initiate the “Crews” program wherein teams of one teacher and 15 students meet daily to share emotional, social, and academic needs. Rivera’s teaching style is hands-on and frequently incorporates the community as a source for learning. She takes advantage of the school’s location in western Colorado for her yearly Colorado River Expedition unit during which students explore the River first hand. Students raft, search for macroinvertebrates, identify bugs, visit the local fish hatchery, and hear from local experts including water chemists, anglers, river guides, and more. The culmination is students’ direct involvement in improving their local community, from selling products with their nature drawings to benefit local river charities, to creating public service announcements that are actually aired on the local radio.
“In addition to a strong focus on student belonging, Autumn also strives to ensure we are keeping our focus on equitable opportunities for all students, said Sarah Casaletto, Interim Principal of Glenwood Springs Middle School, “she understands the importance of relationships and strives to build community within her classroom and across the school.” In addition to her work in the classroom, Rivera has also served as a Colorado Science Conference Planning Committee Member, Colorado State Superintendent Teacher’s Cabinet Member, and a Board Member on the Colorado Center for Rural Education. She has previously been honored as the 2022 Colorado State Teacher of the Year, eventually becoming one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year award.
Rivera attributes her success to her team and a strong professional learning community. “I am beyond honored to receive this award. I would not be where I am today without the fantastic support from all the middle-level educators with whom I work. Teaching is not an individual job, but instead a collaborative profession. I am so grateful for those that push me to be the educator I am today.”
“Not only is Autumn an exceptional educator, but she is also an incredible advocate and ambassador for middle school students,” said Lisa Harrison, Chair of the AMLE Board of Trustees, “She truly gets these kids, the unique developmental phase, and all of the identities they bring to our schools each day.”
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About the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) helps middle grades educators reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools. A membership association of more than 35,000 members, AMLE provides professional learning and networking opportunities to those who work with students ages 10-15. www.amle.org & www.amle.org/annual
Media Contact
Stephanie Simpson | AMLE | 800-528-6672 | ssimpson@amle.org