Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/697518
SUMMER 2016 | wyoea.org 9 Delegates Raised Money for PACE and NEA Fund For Children PACE fundraiser: $4,981.50 NEA fundraiser: $2,535 Millers Receive Friend of Education for Casper Community Greenhouse The Casper Community Greenhouse was the recipient of a WEA Friend of Education award at Delegate Assembly this year. The Greenhouse was nominated by Dirk Andrews, on behalf of the Natrona County Education Association members at Evansville Elementary in Evansville, WY. The award was accepted by the Millers, who serve as the spokespeople for the Greenhouse Project and are instrumental in its success. "We had the opportunity to work closely with the Casper Community Greenhouse Project when we were planning and constructing our greenhouse [at Evansville Elementary]," Andrews said. "The group was instrumental in securing funds necessary and was present at every greenhouse build. Their program is a valuable asset to schools, teachers, students and our community," he said. Andrews also stated that the group makes monthly appearances at his school to help create a Garden Club, and offers valuable lessons to students and teachers. LCSD1 Superintendent Named Friend of Education John Lyttle, the superintendent for the state's largest school district, Laramie County School District #1, was nominated for WEA's Friend of Education Award by Cheyenne Teachers Education Association (CTEA) President Jenefer Pasqua. In the past, John Lyttle served as LCSD #1's Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and helped bring the Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) process to all schools in the district. "Through the CDM process, teachers are able to work together with administration in a collaborative way to solve building issues," Pasqua said. "The children in the building see their teachers and administrators working together to resolve building concerns and come to consensus." Lyttle treats teachers as experts and includes them in conversations regarding their students, as well as regularly asking them for input on curriculum decisions. John encourages teachers to visit with him, and has kept an open door for all staff. He keeps students at the forefront of every decision he makes. Torrington Couple Receive WEA Friend of Education Award Rick and Marilyn Cotant's "living philosophy is 'pay it forward,'" reads the opening sentence of one of the letters nominating them for WEA's Friend of Education Award. Several years ago, the Cotants started the Food Backpack Program in Goshen County, one of the poorest counties in the state. "Poverty and hunger are a daily reality for many of our students," said Torrington Middle School Principal Marv Haiman. "The backpack program serves students in all seven Goshen County schools, and over 300 backpacks are distributed weekly to help needy families," Haiman explained. Rick's personal experience growing up in poverty sparked his mission to help families in need, especially those with school-aged children. The Cotants secure food from Casper and private donations in order to fill the backpacks. The purpose of WEA's Friend of Education Award is to recognize a person or persons who have demonstrated evidence of exceptional service to teachers, schools, and children. These recipients have shown great dedication to their local schools in and outside the classroom.