Wyoming Education Association

Summer 2022

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25 The Gold Key is the most prestigious award conveyed by the Wyoming Education Association. It is presented for extraordinary service which has contributed to the professional development of WEA and to the enhancement and advancement of education in the State of Wyoming. Former WEA President and career-long Wyoming teacher Kathy Vetter is WEA's 2022 Gold Key Award Winner! WEA News sat down with Kathy to talk about her time in education, her thoughts on the power of the Association, and her award win. For Kathy Vetter, teaching is a calling. "My mom says I have always known that I was going to be a teacher," she shared with WEA News. "I would sit my sisters down and encourage them to let me teach as we played school when we were little." After earning her Master's degree in Special Education in her home state of Minnesota, Kathy went on to teach in Wheatland, WY, for 30 years. She then became the longest-serving President of the Wyoming Education Association, serving the Association for eight years before terming out of her presidency in 2020. Vetter was active in the Association from her first day in the classroom, serving as a local leader for many years before being elected NEA Director and eventually state President. "I have always felt that the education Association is your professional organization, and I've always felt that I am a professional," said Vetter. "I wanted to be part of my professional organization because the more you are involved, the more you learn, making you a better employee, teacher, and person. It just makes you much better able to educate the children entrusted to us." Still actively subbing in Laramie County, Kathy is an active Association member and passionate advocate for Wyoming students. "When we all join together, we have the largest voice in the state and, as an NEA member, the largest voice in the nation. With our collective voice, we can make a difference," she says. "We can ensure that students are getting everything they need and that employees are getting what they need." Of her award win, Vetter has just one thing to say: Winning the Gold Key award feels "Amazing." She recalls her many years at WEA's Delegate Assembly, thinking, 'Wow, look at those amazing people sitting at that Gold Key table. Now, I'm one of them.' Eyes welling, Vetter says, "It's just humbling. It's very humbling, and I'm just so very honored." Cheyenne elementary school teacher Jon VanOverbeke was WEA's 2020 Gold Key Award Winner! WEA News caught up with Jon to learn more about his teaching philosophy, his feelings about winning the Gold Key award, and his plans for the future. Even after 31 years in the classroom, Jon VanOverbeke is humble in his teaching philosophy. "I still feel that I don't know everything about teaching," he told WEA News, "and I am very eager to learn from colleagues, learn from taking classes, and learn from the students themselves." VanOverbeke has been an active Association member for all 31 years of his career. He has also held WEA offices, serving as Southeast Region Representative, Southeast Region President, and WEA Treasurer. "WEA membership is very valuable," Jon says, "the professional development and conferences, have given me lots of skills, confidence, and ability to advocate, negotiate, and communicate in a professional way. Also, the travel that I have done with the WEA has given me the opportunity to build friendships and helped me make connections with other educators throughout the United States." VanOverbeke plans to remain an active member of WEA for a long time to come. "I am humbled to have received this award. I know that I am following some well-deserved members who have won this award. So, I need to continue to pay back the Association by continuing to be an active member and sharing what I know." Congratulations, Kathy and Jon! Thank you for your service to the Association and to public education in Wyoming! Captions: Left: Kathy Vetter accepts her Gold Key Award, presented by WEA President Grady Hutcherson. Right: Jon VanOverbeke accepts his WEA Gold Key Award, presented by WEA President Grady Hutcherson. March 2022.

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