Two from Colorado Earn NFHS Performing Arts Educator Awards

INDIANAPOLIS — Maryrose Kohan of George Washington and Katie Klotz of Monarch are among 77 individuals selected to receive Outstanding Performing Arts Educator Awards from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Kohan was a Section Recipient for the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award, while Klotz was a State Recipient for the Outstanding Music Educator Award.

Kohan has built one of the nation’s premier speech and debate programs at George Washington High School, ranking sixth nationally. A Five Diamond NSDA coach, she has guided students to national championships in CX and LD Debate, along with numerous state titles and finalists. Her leadership spans more than 25 years, including service as NSDA District Chair, PF Wording Committee member, and CHSAA State Tournament Director. Maryrose advocates for urban schools and has created multiple speech courses to expand access and opportunity. Her program emphasizes academic rigor, critical thinking, and student empowerment, transforming lives through communication. Recognized with the NSDA James Copeland Coach of the Year and Sharon Wilch Lifetime Achievement Award, Maryrose exemplifies excellence in coaching and mentorship. Her tireless dedication to students and her impact on Colorado’s speech and debate community make her a model educator and leader.

Klotz has built thriving music programs across Colorado, currently leading Monarch High School’s choral department. She expanded offerings to include AP Music Theory and digital music courses, while mentoring teachers and founding district-wide honor choirs. A frequent clinician and presenter, Kate advocates for equity and innovation in music education. Her ensembles consistently excel, and her leadership has strengthened programs statewide, making her a dynamic force for student opportunity and artistic growth.

There were a total of 35 Outstanding Music Educator Awards, 26 Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Awards and 16 Outstanding Theatre Awards announced by the NFHS.

For the first time this year, in addition to honoring educators at the high school level, a number of awards were presented to middle school performing arts educators.

The 35 music honorees include eight section recipients and 17 state recipients at the high school level, and seven section recipients and three state recipients at the middle school level. Seven individuals are receiving section awards in speech and debate and 15 will be honored with state awards, along with four section recipients at the middle school level. In theatre, there are six section and seven state recipients, along with three section recipients at the middle school level.  

Since 1988 when the first Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator Awards were presented, 273 individuals have received section awards and 443 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Music Educator Awards began a year later in 1989, and 236 individuals have received section awards and another 431 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Theatre Award was given for the first time three years ago, separating it from the Outstanding Speech/Debate Educator Award, and 28 individuals have received section awards and 24 have earned state awards.  

Click here to see prior winners of the Outstanding Music Educator or Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator awards.