This Topeka USD 501 math teacher is one of the best in Kansas

Rafael Garcia, Topeka Capital-Journal
·2 min read
Cherryl Delacruz, a Highland Park High School teacher, is the Region 2 secondary finalist for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award.
Cherryl Delacruz, a Highland Park High School teacher, is the Region 2 secondary finalist for the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year award.

A Topeka USD 501 College Prep Academy and Highland Park High School math teacher is now a 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year.

At a banquet Sunday, the Kansas State Department of Education announced Topeka USD 501's Cherryl Delacruz as the Region 2 secondary school finalist, alongside Fonda Telhorst of Piper-Kansas City USD 203 as the elementary finalist.

Among a group of over 120 nominees, two finalists are chosen every year from each of Kansas' four U.S. Congressional districts. Delacruz is the second finalist in a row for Topeka USD 501, after McCarter's Pamela Muñoz was named an elementary school finalist last spring.

"Mrs. Delacruz represents excellence in teaching across Topeka Public Schools," Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson said in a release. "She is a teacher who humbly leads with love and grace to fulfill our mission to engage, prepare, and inspire students for a lifetime of learning. We are all so very proud of Mrs. Delacruz, the Kansas Teacher of the Year for Region 2, and our elementary nominee Mr. Allen Lake.”

In receiving the recognition as a Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist, Cherryl Delacruz thanked her educator colleagues and recognized them as "unsung heroes."
In receiving the recognition as a Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist, Cherryl Delacruz thanked her educator colleagues and recognized them as "unsung heroes."

Delacruz, who immigrated to Topeka 15 years ago from the Philippines, also serves as the district's lead math curriculum planner. Beyond her school duties, Delacruz is a regular volunteer with KTWU, Learning Across Kansas and the Topeka Filipino-American Association. She was recognized as one of TK Business Magazine's 20 under 40 in 2021..

At the announcement ceremony, Delacruz said teachers have been "unsung heroes," thanking her colleagues for their support.

"Mrs. Delacruz is inspiring to students and teachers," assistant superintendent of teaching and learning Billie Wallace said. "She exemplifies the profession in how she supports and gives back, always putting students first."

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In addition to the recognition, Delacruz and all other seven finalists this weekend received a $2,000 cash award and a red, marble apple award.

Each of the eight finalists are considered members of the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year team, and one will be selected as the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year at a banquet in September.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka USD 501's Cherryl Delacruz is Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist