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SUMMER 2014 | wyoea.org 11 Sponsored By The Wyoming Highway Patrol GREAT THINGS HAPPEN EVERY DAY Friend of Education Senator and WEA member Bernadine Craft was the recipient this year, and had a very simple message to attendees of the banquet: "There is so much you can accomplish, when you don't mind who gets the credit." Sweetwater Education Association President Kathy Sizemore presented Sen. Craft with the award and talked about her longtime dedication to education in Wyoming. This award recognizes any person who has demonstrated evidence of exceptional service to teachers, schools, and children. Photo left to right: WEA President Kathy Vetter, Sen. Bernadine Craft, Kathy Sizemore School Bell Award Lander Journal editor Anne McGowan received the award this year, and was nominated by WEA member Dr. Kathleen Hitt. Hitt said McGowan's coverage of education-related stories in Fremont County School District #1 has been part of a great partnership between the newspaper and WEA members regarding positive public relations. This award recognizes outstanding media coverage of education news and programs in Wyoming. Photo left to right: WEA President Kathy Vetter, Anne McGowan, Dr. Kathleen Hitt 2014 National Foundation for the Improvement of Education Award for Teaching Excellence (NFIE) Eastern Laramie County Education Association President Diana Wedl was nominated by fellow WEA member and colleague Craig Williams. Craig has known Diana for years, and spoke of her great leadership in their local, as well as her deep caring for students and knowledge of education issues. This award recognizes an educator who exemplifies excellence in teaching as well as support for the profession through association activism. Photo left to right: WEA President Kathy Vetter, Diana Wedl, Craig Williams Education Support Professional of the Year There was not a dry eye in the room when Elizabeth Crislip received the ESP of the Year award from the parent and WEA member who nominated her, Stephanie Neely. Neely spoke deeply of the progress Liz made with Neely's son, not only academically, but also socially. This award recognizes a member whose activities reflect the contributions of the education support professionals to public education. Photo left to right: WEA President Kathy Vetter, Liz Crislip, Stephanie Neely Ten Wyoming teachers, three of whom are Wyoming Education Association teachers, were honored May 7, 2014, as recipients of the prestigious statewide Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award at a ceremony in Gillette, Wyoming. Arch Coal President and Chief Executive Officer John W. Eaves, accompanied by Gov. Matt Mead, Wyoming First Lady Carol Mead and Wyoming Education Association (WEA) President Kathy Vetter, presented awards to WEA members: Jennifer Marie Mellizo General Music, UW Lab School, Laramie Peggy Lynn Miller Mathematics, Cody High School, Cody Wayne Thomas Tuttle Fifth Grade, Summit School, Casper Each teacher received a personal cash award of $3,500 from the Arch Coal Foundation, as well as a distinctive trophy and plaque. The Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards program, now completing its 14 th year in Wyoming, is the state's longest-running privately sponsored teacher recognition program. "These educators are fantastic examples of the caliber of teachers we have in Wyoming," Vetter WEA Teachers Receive Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards said. "These remarkable teachers challenge their students' abilities, as well as teach them how to succeed. These teachers are true champions of public education in Wyoming. The WEA is proud to have been involved with the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards recognition program since its inception 14 years ago." "Wyoming's classroom teachers are shaping the next generation of leaders in our communities and beyond," said Eaves. "Arch Coal is proud to have taken a leadership role in Wyoming to ensure that the state's star teachers are recognized for their contributions." "Teachers do more than instruct – they inspire," Mead said. "They change lives, influence communities and cultivate a lifelong love for learning. Carol and I thank Arch Coal for honoring excellence in education and for allowing us to join in spotlighting exceptional teachers. We congratulate this year's honorees on their selection and salute them for their contribution to Wyoming's future." This year, over 1,000 teachers were nominated in Wyoming. Nominations for the awards are made by the public, and selection is made by a blue-ribbon panel of the teachers' peers, all past recipients of the Teacher Achievement Award. The Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Education Association, the Wyoming library community, Taco John's and Loaf 'N Jug stores are longstanding supporters of the program. The Arch Coal Foundation also supports teacher- recognition and grants programs in West Virginia, Utah and Colorado, as well as a number of other education-related causes. Arch Coal's Wyoming operations – Thunder Basin Coal Company's Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines and Arch of Wyoming – have a combined workforce of about 1,750. Arch Coal and the Arch Coal Foundation have a long history of supporting educational and community causes in Wyoming. For more information, visit archcoal.com. 2014 Delegate AssemblyAward Recipients ICI WEA.indd 13 6/26/14 3:21 PM