Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/697518
SUMMER 2016 | WEAnews 12 Great Things Happen Everyday Sponsored By The Wyoming Highway Patrol The Arch Coal Foundation recently named 10 exceptional Wyoming classroom teachers as recipients of the prestigious Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. It is Wyoming's longest-running, privately-sponsored teacher recognition program, now in its 16th year. The announcement was made by John W. Eaves, Arch Coal's chairman and chief executive officer. Each recipient was honored at a special assembly held in front of students and faculty at his or her individual school. The 2016 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award recipients are: Joseph Allen, East High School, Cheyenne Candy Dooper, Niobrara County High School, Lusk Sharon A. Duffey, Pine Bluffs and Albin Elementary Schools, Pine Bluffs and Albin James Hoffman, Riverside High School, Basin Meredith Huggins, Jackson Elementary School, Jackson Janet Lee, Dubois Elementary School, Dubois Chrissy Owen, Summit Elementary School, Casper Kelly Phelan, Cody High School, Cody Magen Seeley-Marotz, Bain Elementary School, Cheyenne Kathryn Watson, Guernsey-Sunrise Secondary School, Guernsey John Lyttle, Jillian Ballow, and WEA President Kathy Vetter present Magen Seeley-Marotz with the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. WEA President Kathy Vetter and Jillian Ballow present Joseph Allen with the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. "Wyoming was recently recognized as having the best education system among Western states, and eighth best nationally. A state cannot have those rankings without great teachers," said Governor Matt Mead. "I always look forward to partnering with Arch to recognize outstanding teachers and celebrate their success. These teachers make a difference in children's lives. I congratulate and thank each of them." "The governor and legislators have made education a priority in Wyoming through investing in a great system and our Wyoming students; those dollars are paying off. Significant funding for K-12 comes directly from the mining industry and I would like to thank them for all they do to help educate students in our state, as our students are truly our future. Recent reports show that Wyoming students lead the West, and the WEA is confident that support for a strong education in Wyoming will continue in the future," said WEA President Kathy Vetter. Teachers are nominated by the public, and a blue-ribbon panel of past award recipients selects the annual winners. Each recipient is presented with a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a personal cash award. The Teacher Achievement Awards are underwritten by the Arch Coal Foundation and are supported in program promotion by the Office of the Governor, the Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Library Community, the Wyoming Education Association (WEA), Taco John's and Loaf 'N Jug. Arch Coal and the Arch Coal Foundation have a long history of supporting educational and community causes in Wyoming. The Arch Coal Foundation also supports teacher recognition or grants programs in West Virginia and Colorado. Information about each of this year's 10 recipients, as well as past recipients, is posted at archteacherawards.com.