Autumn Rivera is currently a sixth-grade science teacher at Glenwood Springs Middle School in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and also an adjunct professor at Colorado Mountain College in the Education Department. During her more than seventeen years as an educator, she has worked with students from elementary to postgraduate levels. Rivera holds both a Bachelors of Arts in Biology and a Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary Science from Colorado College; and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is a member of the Colorado Science Conference Planning Committee and is the President Elect for the Colorado Association of Science Teachers. She has presented a variety of professional development courses including at the Roaring Fork EdTech Summit and the Colorado Science Conference.  Rivera is the middle school science lead for her school district.  She was named the 2022 Colorado Teacher of the year and a Finalist for National Teacher of the Year, and is also a Golden Apple and Excellence in Teaching Awardee. 

In addition to her work in the field of science, Rivera holds other leadership roles.  She serves on the Roaring Fork School District Interest Based Bargaining Committee and advocates for her fellow teachers. Rivera believes in the importance of diversity and representation in the classroom and encourages her students to make a change now instead of waiting for the future. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, volunteering, and spending quality time with people she loves.