DPS instructor named 2010 Teacher of the Year

DENVER - A science teacher in Denver was named the 2010 Colorado Teacher of the Year on Friday evening.

Justin Darnell teaches at Bryant-Webster K-8 in northwest Denver. He was the first finalist for the award from Denver Public Schools since 1982.

Many of the students at Bryant-Webster are from low income families. Many are still learning to speak English. These are factors that are often associated with lower test scores. Yet, the kids at Bryant-Webster are outperforming the state average in the science CSAP tests.

"This is an unbelievable honor and this shows that our students are succeeding," he said.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced Darnell's victory at Friday evening's ceremony.

Darnell says a big key in his classroom is building relationships with students and among them before motivating them to learn.

He is now in the running for the National Teacher of the Year. 

The other two finalists were Michelle Pearson, a social studies teacher at the Hulstrom Options School in Northglenn, and Lynn Jackson, a fifth grade teacher at the Eldorado K-8 School in Superior.