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Denver teacher announced as 2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Oct. 30, 2018

Denver teacher announced as 2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Margaret "Meg" Cypress teaches fifth grade at Bradley International School

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 presented the award at a 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 wait list.
 
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.  

The Colorado Teacher of the Year program's award partners include the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Free Masons and Blue Bell Ice Cream. 
 
For more on the Colorado Teacher of the Year, visit the program webpage