Each year the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program honors an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled K-12 classroom teacher to represent the entire profession in the state. The selected teacher will automatically become Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year competition. The national program is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Visit the National Teacher of the Year program webpage for more information.
Denver teacher named 2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year
DENVER – Margaret “Meg” Cypress, a fifth-grade teacher from Bradley International School in Denver Public Schools (DPS), was announced today as the 2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year.
“It is my honor to give this prestigious award to such an exemplary teacher who inspires not only her students but adults in her school community,” said Colorado Commissioner Katy Anthes, who announced the award at a special, surprise ceremony at the school. “Meg Cypress’s love for teaching and helping children grow makes her the perfect ambassador for Colorado teachers. As Colorado continues to look for ways to recruit and retain more teachers, Meg is exactly the type of spark we need to inspire and motivate bright people to enter the profession.”
As Teacher of the Year, Cypress will represent the entire profession in Colorado and be the face of all Colorado teachers. She will be entered as Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program competition and will get many professional development opportunities. The President of the United States will honor Cypress along with the country’s other teachers of the year at a special ceremony at the White House. Over the summer, Cypress will get the opportunity to go to NASA’s Space Camp for a week. She will also become a member of the Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet.
“We are thrilled that Meg Cypress has received this well-deserved honor. Meg’s accomplishments are deeply impressive, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of students, both during and beyond the school day,” said DPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Ron Cabrera. “Meg is a tireless, transformational leader and an inspiration to her students and our community, and we celebrate her extraordinary contributions. Our students’ successes occur because of teachers like Meg. She is a wonderful example of the outstanding, dedicated educators in DPS.”
Cypress was chosen for her influence, energy and knack for making connections with children at all academic levels. Cypress has an exceptional ability to inspire and excite students, parents, other teachers, administrators and “anyone who comes into her orbit,” said her principal Stephen Wera.
At Bradley since 2003, Cypress started as a reading specialist as the school faced the possibility of being closed. Cypress worked with the staff to bring the International Baccalaureate Program’s Primary Years Programme to Bradley to keep it open for the surrounding neighborhood. Since then the school has become a high-performing school with a waitlist.
For her part, Cypress has built connections with the community, organizing family events such as Math Night, the Cardboard Challenge and the Annual Bradley Science Fair. In addition, she started a summer camp at Bradley with more than 150 students and was assistant volleyball coach for Thomas Jefferson High School.
Cypress is a Colorado native who received her bachelor of arts from the University of Northern Colorado. She has previously received the 9News Teachers Who Care Award and was a Mile High Teacher for Denver Public Schools in 2007.
2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year Award Partners
Nominations
Do you know an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 teacher? Nominate them to apply for the 2020 Colorado Teacher of the Year award!
Christina Randle, 2018 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Christina Randle can be reached at:
Soaring Eagles Elementary School
Harrison School District 2
4710 Harrier Ridge Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
(719) 540-4000 | crandle@hsd2.org
Teacher of the Year Archives
Recent Teachers of the Year
- Sean Wybrant, 2017 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Leticia Ingram, 2016 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Kathy Thirkell, 2015 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Elizabeth Miner, 2014 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Amanda Westenberg, 2013 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Kristin Donley, 2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Michele Pearson, 2011 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Justin Darnell, 2010 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Susan Elliott, 2009 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Seth Berg, 2008 Colorado Teacher of the Year
- Susan Ryder, 2007 Colorado Teacher of the Year
Veteran Teachers of the Year
Colorado Council of the Network of State Teachers of the Year
The Colorado Council of the Network of State Teachers of the Year (NSTOY) is an organization committed to the preservation and enhancement of the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program. The Council works with the Colorado State Department of Education and other corporate and organizational partners to celebrate teaching excellence through the recognition of educators who have inspired a love for learning in their students, and who have distinguished themselves in the profession. All Colorado State Teachers of the Year, as well as each year’s finalists, are invited to participate. For more information for upcoming meetings, as well as how to join, please visit the Colorado Council's website.
Contact Us
For more information on this program, please contact:
Kim Burnham
Competitive Grants and Awards
(303) 866-6916
Burnham_K@cde.state.co.us
