Claudia Ladd Named CO Teacher of the Year Finalist

On Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, the Colorado Department of Education announced the seven finalists for the 2020 Colorado Teacher of the Year competition. We are proud to announce that McMeen Elementary School’s own Claudia Ladd is one of the finalists!

Ms. Ladd is a first-grade teacher at McMeen. She has 16 years of classroom teaching experience and is a National Board certified teacher who has experience in leadership, curriculum development, instructional coaching and standards alignment. Ms. Ladd firmly believes early literacy is the gateway to education and that classrooms must be the frontline of equitable opportunity. She’s an exemplary classroom teacher and an advocate for systemic change in education so that all children, regardless of zip code, can receive an equitable, joyful and rigorous education that inspires intellectual curiosity.

“Teaching is much more than just a profession. It’s a calling,” said Superintendent Susana Cordova. “Teachers like Claudia spend their lives serving, mentoring and inspiring students to accomplish their goals and live up to their potential. We are excited that, once again, one of our outstanding DPS educators is a finalist for this recognition.”

Each year, the Colorado Teacher of the Year program recognizes an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 classroom teacher. The winner of the 2020 Teacher of the Year competition will represent Colorado in the national Teacher of the Year competition. The sole finalist will be announced by Nov. 1.

Colorado’s 2019 teacher of the year was Margaret “Meg” Cypress, a fifth-grade teacher from Bradley International School. For more information on the Colorado Teacher of the Year program, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeawards/teacheroftheyear.