For the first time, District 60 rolled out the red carpet to celebrate an exceptional teacher and staff member from every school across the district—along with honoring district-wide Teachers and Staff Members of the Year at each level.

The evening unfolded at a heartfelt dinner and awards celebration in the Occhiato Student Center at Colorado State University Pueblo, where Superintendent Dr. Barbara Kimzey personally recognized each recipient.

“The power to prepare all of our students for an ever-changing world… the power to transform the trajectory of our students’ lives… the power to imagine Pueblo’s thriving future—it’s all embodied in this room with all of you,” Superintendent Kimzey shared.

“To our honored educators and staff, you are here tonight because of your passion for students, your dedication to growth, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. You have chosen—truly chosen—to serve our students with strength, creativity, and heart, inspiring them to build meaningful, powerful lives beyond graduation. For our students and our community, you are present. You are powerful. And you are empowering.”

All 29 schools were represented, with each school nominating one teacher and one staff member to serve as their honorees for the 2025-26 school year. From that list of finalists, district-wide Teachers and Staff Members of the Year were named.

As selected by a leadership committee, this year’s District Teachers of the Year are Terri Pacheco (ELA, East), Donna Gonzales (Art, Goodnight School), and Arjun Sahdev (5th grade, Minnequa Elementary).

Honored as Staff Members of the Year are Pete Carrillo (Online Advocate, Dutch Clark Digital High School), Stephanie New (Principal’s Secretary, Goodnight K-8), and Terry Jacques (Night Custodian, Haaff Elementary).

Each individual was warmly congratulated by members of the D60 Board of Education, joined by school leaders, colleagues, friends, and family members — 350 in all – gathered to celebrate the incredible people who make a difference every day by collectively striving to make D60 a “destination district” throughout the region.

Dalton Sprouse, the district’s Director of Communications, also expressed appreciation for the generous sponsors who helped bring the evening to life: SunWest Credit Union, Pueblo Education Association, Kaiser Permanente, CommonSpirit-St. Mary Corwin, Waste Connections, Inc., Colorado Sheet Metal, Little Caesars, and Michael and Becky Cafasso.

The South orchestra, under the direction of Rob Smith, entertained guests during a social hour.

2025-26 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

• Tami Horvat, Baca
• Jodi Naylor, Belmont
• Naomi Edgecomb, Bessemer Academy
• Angelique Urenda, Beulah Heights
• Kenneth Barreras, Bradford
• Chris Trujillo, Centennial
• Brian Domina, Central
• Verla Hutchins, Corwin
• Brenda Madic, Columbian
• Charles Carmichael, D60 Online Middle School
• Carlos Arriaga, Dutch Clark Digital
• Terri Pacheco, East
• Leah Hernandez, Fountain
• Janet Rivera, Franklin
• Donna Gonzales, Goodnight School
• Angela Casados, Haaff
• TJ Gradisar, Heaton
• Christina Posa, Heritage
• America Martinez-Carrillo, Highland
• Amber Wiseman, Irving
• Arjun Sahdev, Minnequa
• Cathy Sajbel, Morton
• Jennifer Lickert, Freed
• Melissa Rollins, Park View
• Dominic Repucci, Pueblo Academy of Arts
• Edward Chick, Pueblo Youth Services
• Traci Thompson, Risley
• Shannan Lane, South
• Kelsi Vigil, South Park
• Veronica Miller, Sunset Park

STAFF MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

• Carmen Gamez Lopez, Baca
• Senieda Trujillo, Belmont
• Joie Aragon, Bessemer Academy
• Rose Ahlers, Beulah Heights
• Alysa Johnson, Bradford
• Sandra Herron, Centennial
• Gail Horvat, Central
• Brendyl Lee, Corwin
• Brittany Jensen, Columbian
• Amanda Lira, D60 Online Middle School
• Pete Carrillo, Dutch Clark Digital High School
• Tessa Hanna, East
• Christina Alarid, Fountain
• Sheri Ackerman, Franklin
• Stephanie New, Goodnight School
• Terry Jaques, Haaff
• Anna Hancock, Heaton
• Jennifer DiPersio, Heritage
• Louise Sullinger, Highland Park
• Mary Sabott, Irving
• Michelle Moreno, Minnequa
• Carrie Bell-Montoya, Morton
• Vikki Graston, Freed
• Audrey Albo, Park View
• Lucy Encomendero de Gonzalez, Pueblo Academy of Arts
• Leticia Madrid, Risley
• Nita Wheeler, South
• Ricardo Octavio, South Park
• Casey McDonald, Sunset Park