Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/99516
ER BGHT EM I M OTL SP LAURA DRAKE WYOMING'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR Laura Drake, a third grade teacher at Goins Elementary of Laramie County School District #1 and longtime Wyoming Education Association member, has been named Wyoming's 2013 Teacher of the Year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. "I am very humbled by being awarded this honor, because I know there are so many great educators out there and I know what happens in schools every day. I feel just an enormous sense of pride and honor to represent teachers from Wyoming," said Drake. According to Supt. Hill, "Laura Drake is an outstanding example of the many teachers in Wyoming who dedicate their careers and lives to provide their students with the best instruction." "Laura Drake has continued to show why the Wyoming Education Association is a leading force for educators in this state," said WEA President Kathy Vetter LCSD #1 Superintendent Dr. Mark Stock and Goins Elementary School Principal Joyce Chalstrom were very excited to hear the news about Laura's selection. Dr. Stock said, "The Laramie County School District #1 school board, administration, and staff were thrilled to learn that Goins Elementary teacher Laura Drake was chosen as Wyoming Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Drake represents all Wyoming teachers who exemplify studentcentered, caring educators who work so tirelessly on the behalf of students. We commend all educators who also share these same qualities. Mrs. Drake will be a great ambassador for such teachers throughout Wyoming." "She represents exactly what a Teacher of the Year should represent," added Mrs. Chalstrom. Mrs. Drake started her career 23 years ago in Campbell County School District. She has been teaching third grade at Goins Elementary for eleven years, where she has served on curriculum committees for both Language Arts and Mathematics. She has opened up her classroom as a lab classroom, allowing other teaching professionals to observe her classes, and served as a part of the district mentoring program for new teachers. Mrs. Drake has also been named Rotary Teacher of the Month in Cheyenne and has been recognized with the STAR Teacher Award for Wyoming from the U.S. Department of Education. Laura will travel to Arizona in January to meet with the other states' "Teacher of the Year" awardees to discuss classroom dynamics, such as Smart Board use, as well as legislative issues and policy-making. Being this year's Wyoming Teacher of the Year comes with an enormous responsibility for Laura. She will be an education ambassador representing Wyoming. Wyoming's Teacher of the Year automatically becomes the nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program, which is sponsored by ING and Target, a project of the Council of Chief State School Oficers in partnership with the University of Phoenix and the People to People Ambassador Programs. WEA offers its sincere congratulations to Laura Drake for this honor. WINTER 2012 Winter 2012.indd 11 | wyoea.org 11 12/14/12 3:23 PM