Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/85591
Jack WEA truly appreciates great educators throughout Wyoming and wants to say "Thanks!" for your dedication! One such shining star is WEA member Jack Patrick, longtime English and speech teacher at Saratoga High School in Carbon County School District #2. Like many teachers in small schools, Patrick is truly a "Jack" of many trades: he teaches 10th 12th basic composition, creative writing, humanities, Advanced Placement English, survey of literature, business English, English literature, Speech I and II, and senior writing. He is also this year's Close Up sponsor, as well as sophomore class sponsor. His least favorite responsibility? Lunch duty! coursework for 11th grade English, and elective and 12th , 11th grades: Many of Jack's students have placed at the local, district, state, and national levels in speech competitions, Young Authors writing competitions, and Voice of Democracy Speech Contests, as well as in the Laws of Life Essay Contest sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming. Like other master teachers, Patrick demonstrates leadership , and Patrick and collaboration beyond his own classroom. He has trained fellow colleagues on new and innovative techniques and assisted with establishing protocols for state assessments. He served as a member of the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board for three years. Jack currently plays a vital role as one of two teacher representatives on the Advisory Committee to the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability, a state- appointed committee consisting of district superintendents, principals, teachers, state government employees, and stakeholders. The Advisory Committee's purpose is to develop the roles of Wyoming school districts, leaders/teachers, and students within the framework of educational accountability, and make recommendations to the Select Committee on Accountability. Jack also represented teachers on the recent Appraisal System Task Force, which reviewed and recommended to the State Board of Education the changes to Chapter 29 of the Education Rules and Regulations pertaining to certified employee evaluation systems. Jack has been a member of NEA and two local and state affiliates for more than 30 years, having volunteered his time as president for two locals and as local secretary, as well as parliamentarian for the WEA Delegate Assembly in 2012 and a local delegate numerous times. The recipient of honors too numerous to elaborate here, Patrick has been recognized as the 2004 Wyoming Teacher of the Year; 2005- 06 National Federation of High School Speech/Theatre/Debate Educator; the Joseph B. Whitehead 2006 Educator of Distinction Award for Exemplary Dedication to the Field of Education; and many, many more. Yet Jack still finds time for creative writing, even winning an award for an original short story. Patrick is married to wife Susan, who retired last year from teaching elementary physical education at Saratoga Elementary School for the past 34 years. They have two children: Chelsea (deceased) and Jason (25). WEA extends its sincere appreciation and admiration to Jack Patrick for his dedication to the profession, to his fellow educators, and to Wyoming students! great things happening in your schools! Let WEA know about Contact Coleen Haines – chaines@nea.org BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 | wyoea.org 11 SPOTLIGHT MEMBER