Two Denver Public Schools teachers have been named Sam’s Club and Walmart Teachers of the Year.

Pam Gamble, a teacher at Hill Middle School, 451 Clermont St., is a Sam's Club Teacher of the Year. Sam's Club presented the school with a $1,000 check.

“Ms. Gamble is one of the hardest-working teachers we have, and she’s a great student advocate,” said Don Roy, Hill Middle School principal. “She encourages each of her students to strive for and reach their fullest potential.”

Walmart named Florence Crittenton School, 96 S. Zuni St., science teacher Dorotha Hogue as Teacher of the Year. The school is a partnership between Denver Public Schools and Human Services, Inc., for pregnant and parenting students. The school has nurseries for the children of the students.

Nickie Cisnernos, who nominated Hogue, said that “Dorotha is a caring teacher who has encouraged many pregnant students and teen moms to stay in school.”

“Many teen moms would not have graduated from high school if Dorotha had not been their teacher,” said Cisnernos. “Dorotha makes learning science fun.”

Hogue has taught in the teen parent program since 1984. She has been a Colorado Teacher of the Year Honoree and is an Eleanor Roosevelt science teacher fellow named by the American Association of University Women. She is an advocate of educational equity for girls and promotes the Florence Crittenton School as a community of caring and learning. She considers the children of her students as her students also. She embraces the truth in “the hands that rock the cradle rule the world.”

Hogue reiterates that the Walmart award is not abut her individually but rather about the students and the entire staff of the Florence Crittenton School. She states that the students inspire her because of their determination to become all that they can become for themselves and for their children. Hogue is energized by the talent and dedication of the staff of the Florence Crittenton School and is grateful that Walmart has recognized the teen parent students and the staff of the school for their endeavors.

  The Sam’s Club and Walmart Teacher of the Year Program is designed to recognize outstanding teachers throughout the U.S. and in areas where Sam’s Clubs and Walmart stores are in operation. Each year in February, nominations are made on behalf of outstanding educators in our communities. One teacher is selected per club to receive a monetary award, a teacher of the year vest and a certificate of recognition. The award is presented on behalf of the Teacher of the Year to be used in that teacher's classroom. Over 3,000 awards are given each year.

For information, contact Hill Middle School, 303-399-0254, or Florence Crittenton School, 303-733-7686.