Anti-Biased Educator | Equity Facilitator |
2026 NEA Member Benefit Award for Teaching Excellence Recipient
2026 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence
Colorado Teacher of the Year 2025
National Teacher of the Year Finalist 2025
2026 NEA Member Benefit Award for Teaching Excellence Recipient
2026 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence
Colorado Teacher of the Year 2025
National Teacher of the Year Finalist 2025
Janet Damon has taught for more than twenty five years in urban schools as a history teacher, literacy interventionist, and school librarian. She integrates inquiry-based research, digital storytelling, and art into her teaching, leveraging creative expression as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and social change. As an Instructional Coach and Senior Team Lead she helps educators to embody the wellness practices that lead to resilience, joy, and sustainability while staying grounded in their purpose.
Janet has been awarded the 2026 NEA Foundation’s Member Benefit Award for Teaching Excellence and the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. She is also the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year and a Finalist for National Teacher of the Year. Her community awards include the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Inaugural Making our Futures Brighter Award, Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award, Facing History Fellowship, and Fund for Teachers Fellowship
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Metropolitan State University, Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of Denver, and Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in Leadership for Educational Organizations from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Janet has been awarded the 2026 NEA Foundation’s Member Benefit Award for Teaching Excellence and the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. She is also the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year and a Finalist for National Teacher of the Year. Her community awards include the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Inaugural Making our Futures Brighter Award, Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award, Facing History Fellowship, and Fund for Teachers Fellowship
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Metropolitan State University, Master’s of Library and Information Science from the University of Denver, and Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in Leadership for Educational Organizations from the University of Colorado at Denver.
"Committed acts of caring let all students know that the purpose of education is not to dominate, or prepare them to be dominators, but rather to create the conditions for freedom. Caring educators open the mind, allowing students to embrace a world of knowing that is always subject to change and challenge." - bell hooks, Teaching Community