Colleen Keough is a second grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary School in the Schenectady City School District in New York. She enjoys teaching her students in an urban community school and is starting her 17th year there. She earned her Bachelor of Science in childhood education and psychology from Russell Sage College. She then earned her Master of Science in literacy from the State University of New York at Albany. Keough has been recognized by Schenectady as the recipient of the 2023 Passionate Person Award and the 2024 Schenectady City School District Teacher of the Year. Keough is also the recipient of the 2025 New York State Teacher of the Year award.

Keough serves on numerous committees and volunteers for extracurricular activities such as co-president of the Parent Teacher Organization and co-chairing the yearbook committee. She serves on the Anti-Racism Building Leadership Team, safety team, new teacher mentoring program and serves as a Parents as Reading Partners member. Building strong community partnerships is another priority for Keough, who works with volunteers in such programs as Reading is Fundamental, Junior Achievement and the Foster Grandparent Program.

Keough recognizes the importance of creating a safe environment where students, despite past traumas, bloom and where confidence, knowledge and skills grow daily due to high expectations and love. She believes an equitable education is a right, not a privilege. She also believes it is our mission to ensure that all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities, regardless of their ZIP code.