Colorado Teacher of Year finalist arrested, accused of kidnapping student
A 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist was arrested in Douglas County on Thursday and charged with kidnapping a student.
Authorities arrested Tera Johnson-Swartz, a former teacher at STEM School Highlands Ranch, on Feb. 20. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said she is being held in the Douglas County Detention Facility and is facing charges of kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
In an arrest affidavit advocating for those charges, Johnson-Swartz is accused of forming a relationship with a male student at the school. They began texting about music. She then allegedly bought him cigarettes, smoked marijuana with him, and kissed him, according to the affidavit. The investigation into her actions began Jan. 22.
Tuesday, according to the affidavit, Johnson-Swartz picked up the juvenile in her car and left the school's grounds. This occurred after she had retained an attorney in light of the police investigation. She returned him to the school minutes later, but the lack of knowledge or permission from the juvenile's parents to leave the school resulted in the felony kidnapping charge.
Last fall, Johnson-Swartz was named as one of four finalists for the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year award.
Johnson-Swartz is scheduled to be appear in court Wednesday when she will be formally advised of the charges by a judge.
The sheriff's office stated Johnson-Swartz is no longer a teacher at STEM Highlands Ranch. The date of her termination was not disclosed.
The case remains under investigation. The sheriff's department asked that anyone who may have information on the case contact Detective Randy Allen at rallen@dcsheriff.net.
