Jessica May Announced as Keynote Speaker for UNC's Future Teacher Conference 2025

2024 Future Teacher Conference Keynote Speaker Announced: Colorado Teacher of the Year, Jessica May

The University of Northern Colorado is excited to welcome Jessica May, ’96, as the keynote speaker for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences’ 2025Future Teacher Conference on Feb. 7, 2025.

May, a middle school teacher in the Thompson School District, was named the 2024 Colorado Teacher of the Year Known for her passion for experiential learning, May engages students with hands-on activities, like caring for “rice babies” and redesigning classroom kitchens, that teach real-world skills like budgeting, teamwork, and conflict resolution. 

With over 22 years of teaching experience, May brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for connecting lessons to life beyond the classroom. As the 18th UNC alum to receive this prestigious award, she embodies the university’s tradition of excellence in teacher preparation. 

The Future Teacher Conference is an annual event hosted by UNC to bring together high school and community college students interested in teaching with UNC faculty, student teachers and veteran teachers from around the state to learn more about careers in education, the latest insights from teachers and trending topics from the classroom.