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Excitement and surprise marked the moment University of Northern Colorado alumna Christina Gillette Randle learned she was named as the .

Randle, a first-grade teacher at Soaring Eagles Elementary School in Harrison School District No. 2, was selected as the state's best educator. She, along with her students and colleagues, learned of the news during an all school assembly with Colorado Education Commissioner Kathy Anthes.

Randle follows a long list of fellow Â鶹´«Ã½ alumni to receive the distinction, but she is the first from her home district to be honored. 

Randle earned her Â鶹´«Ã½ degree in 2003, studying elementary education and middle school. She has taught with Harrison School District No. 2 for 14 years.

As Colorado's Teacher of the Year, Randle will represent the state as Colorado's nominee for National Teacher of the Year in Washington, D.C. where she will be honored at the White House.

Congratulations Christina!