Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/517581
SUMMER 2015 | wyoea.org 9 by the Hacker Law Firm Long-time Cheyenne Volunteer Receives WEA Friend of Education Award Jim Lynch has volunteered in Cheyenne for well over thirty years with Cheyenne Frontier Days, but it was the special program Jim started about ten years ago that caught the eye of those who nominated him for the WEA Friend of Education award. Jim Lynch started the "Coats for Kids" program in Cheyenne, which collects money, coats, and other winter clothing for donation to kids all around Laramie County whose families could not afford to purchase such items themselves. Numerous letters in support of Lynch's nomination were received by the WEA Board of Directors. They all mentioned Jim's Santa-Claus-like presence, and how the coat drive has become bigger and more organized due to his commitment and involvement in the lives of Laramie County kids. Jim's efforts have resulted in him supplying coats and winter clothing to thousands of needy individuals across Laramie County. The purpose of the Friend of Education Award is to recognize a person or persons who have demonstrated evidence of exceptional service to teachers, schools, and children. This recipient has shown great dedication to their local schools in and outside the classrooms. Casper Educator and WEA's BEWM Leader Honored with National Award Dirk Andrews is the recipient of the NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education's (NFIE) Award for Teaching Excellence sponsored by California Casualty – one of the nation's most prestigious honors for public educators. The Wyoming Education Association nominated Andrews for the honor, after many of his colleagues wrote letters on his behalf. "He has been a valuable asset to both our building and our grade level team, because of his background in special education, his personal relationships with families, and his connections to the NCEA and WEA," said his teaching partner, Erin Jackson. President Vetter said the WEA is thrilled that California Casualty has joined us again this year to pay tribute to educators who are making such a difference in the lives of students in classrooms across the country. Dirk's letters of recommendation for the NFIE award all spoke to his commitment to the students in his class and to the association. Dirk is a founding member of WEA's millennial group, BEWM! (Because Education in Wyoming Matters!). "Dirk is a valued resource within and beyond our state on issues affecting younger education professionals," said NCEA President Doreen McGlade. Dirk sat on a millennial panel for the National Education Association last summer to discuss the generational needs of millennials, and ways to build association capacity within that generation. Andrews is one of many awardees who will be honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence at the Education Gala held sometime next year. Known as the Academy of Awards of public education, the gala attracts more than 850 of the nation's leaders from public education, philanthropy, and the private sector. Mills Educator Receives Green Apple Award Jennifer Leimback is an enrichment tutor at Mills Elementary School, and was a driving force in getting a greenhouse in Mills. She met with master gardeners and representatives from the Casper Community Greenhouse Project to develop the greenhouse. The town of Mills waived some of its fees, making it possible for access and water. Each grade level and classroom at Mills Elementary has assigned time to visit the greenhouse, and each grade level has written integrated, standards-based units, with ISTE standards embedded, that use the greenhouse for instruction. The benefits students receive are more than solely the hands-on planting; they are also learning to use composting materials and to collaborate with high school students from Star Lane Center on problem-based learning activities. The WEA Green Apple Award is for recognition of members who contribute to environmental awareness. This award helps to strengthen the bond between education and the environment by bringing the efforts of teachers to the attention of the public and other educators. School Bell Award County 10 News in Lander accepted the WEA School Bell Award for their contributions in consistently being supportive of education news in their area. Dr. Kathy Hitt of the Lander Education Association nominated County 10 News and said, "They are considerably favorable to Fremont School District #1, with a total of 66 articles in about three months." She said the articles were not just about quantity, but representative of the positive aspects of education in their district. The Wyoming School Bell Award is presented annually to a representative of the news media for outstanding coverage of education news and issues. The award is an expression of appreciation of the excellence in the field of news media pertaining to education in the state of Wyoming. Eligible recipients are newspapers, editors, special correspondents, news commentators, and radio and television stations. Nominations for the award are made by locals, districts, or state committees of the Wyoming Education Association.