UNC Alumna Named 2019 Colorado Teacher of the Year

For the second year in a row, a UNC Alumna has been selected as the Colorado Teacher of the Year.

Margaret “Meg” Cypress, BS ’02, a fifth-grade teacher from Bradley International School in Denver has been awarded the top honor.

“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,” says Colorado Commissioner Katy Anthes. “Meg Cypress’ 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. She will be entered as Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program competition and have the chance to participate in many unique 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 Colorado Department of Education’s 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,” DPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Ron Cabrera says. “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.”    
 
Among six finalists for the award, Cypress was selected 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,” her principal Stephen Wera says.
 
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 has previously received the 9News Teachers Who Care Award and was a Mile High Teacher for Denver Public Schools in 2007.