Five Outstanding Utah Educators Receive Arch Coal Teacher Acievement Award

Five area classroom teachers were honored today at a ceremony at Manti Elementary school, each receiving a prestigious Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award.

In addition to Arch Coal Senior Vice President Paul Lang, State School Board Member Dixie Allen and Utah Education Association Executive Director Mark Mickelsen were on hand to honor the recipients. This is the fourth year for the Arch Coal Foundation’s teacher recognition program in Carbon, Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties. The counties surround the Skyline, Dugout Canyon and Sufco mines operated by Canyon Fuel Company, a subsidiary of major U.S. coal producer Arch Coal, Inc.

The five recipients are:

Karen B. Bedont Lighthouse Life & Learning Center Price
Kiersten R. Hatch Gunnison Elementary School Gunnison
Daniel G. Rasmussen Manti Elementary Manti
Vicki L. Rasmussen Cleveland Elementary Cleveland
Terri Lyn Williams Salina Elementary Salina

“Each year, when I read about the professionalism, innovation and caring attitudes the Arch Coal recipients bring to their classrooms, I know that our children are in good hands at school,” said Lang. “Our world is changing at a fast pace. If our nation is to continue to prosper and lead, then our children must be challenged and taught in classrooms by excellent teachers like those we honor today.

“These five teachers put their students first,” said Lang. “They are committed to changing the lives of their students through education and by providing opportunities to succeed. Teachers change lives is not a slogan; it is a fact.”

“It is obvious that our future rests in the hands of a well-educated population,” said Allen. “Our future is ultimately in the hands of the teachers and parents who assure that our students have every chance to be well educated. To ensure that teachers have the support necessary to do their job, we need to count on the involvement of companies like Arch Coal and the Arch Coal Foundation to highlight the quality and value of our teachers.”

“The Utah Education Association is proud to partner with the Arch Coal Foundation in honoring these outstanding educators,” said Mickelsen. “These professionals represent the very best of Utah’s many talented teachers who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of Utah’s schoolchildren. They are helping to build a bright future for our state.”

Each recipient receives a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a $3,500 personal, cash award.
Partners for the program include the Office of the Governor, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Education Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, Carbon County School District, Emery County School District, Sevier County School District, North Sanpete School District, South Sanpete School District, Far West Bank, Market Express, radio stations KMTI, KLGL, KMGR, KSVC, KCYQ, KOAL, KARB, KRPX, and both TacoTime and Bookcliff Sales in Price.

Arch Coal is Utah’s largest coal producer and a large, state employer, with a workforce of approximately 800. Through all its operations, Arch Coal is the nation’s second largest coal producer. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Information about each of the five current recipients as well as past recipients is posted at archtearcherawards.com.

New CEO Named at Educators Mutual Insurance

Educators Mutual’s board of directors has named Steven C. Morrison as its new president and chief executive officer. Steve has served as Educators Mutual’s executive vice president of sales and marketing for the past seven years, during which the organization experienced remarkable growth.

“Steve brings tremendous industry acumen, deep experience and a passion for Educators Mutual,” said board chair Gary Harmer. “Members, partners and employees will be well served by his leadership. He will build upon Educators Mutual’s success in recent years and help the organization in furthering our mission of maximizing benefits while keeping premiums low.”

Prior to joining Educators Mutual in 2001, Steve served as an internal auditor and as manager of member services, quality and reporting for Regence BlueCross BlueShield. He also has worked as a senior auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

“I am excited by the opportunity to serve in this position,” said Steve. “I will work to direct our focus on core products, including medical, dental and vision and will strive to implement initiatives to control costs and provide plans designed to manage and improve the health of our members.”

Steve graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He maintains a license as a Certified Public Accountant in Utah and has owned and operated a number of small businesses. He also serves in many community capacities, including as a member of the board of directors for Junior Achievement.

Steve succeeds Andy Galano, who recently announced his retirement after serving for 13 years as Educators Mutual’s CEO.

Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh Wins Top NEA Honor

On Friday, April 30, at the National Education Association Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, Salt Lake City educator, Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, received the top honor, the $25,000 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence. At this annual celebration of the men and women who work in America's public schools, the Foundation presented more than 40 awards to exceptional educators and dedicated supporters.
This year's event featured an eco-friendly theme and awardees shared the stage with national leaders in the environmental movement, including event emcee, Philippe Cousteau, CEO of EarthEcho International, Correspondent for Planet Green, and Spokesperson for Discovery Education.
Gallagher-Fishbaugh, a second grade teacher at Dilworth Elementary School, was nominated for the award by the Utah Education Association, and was one of 38 public school educators nominated by their state associations. All 38 educators were recognized at the event and received The Burt's Bees Greater Good Foundation's Award for Teaching Excellence. The NEA Foundation donated $750 to each of the nominees' schools and covered the cost of their travel to attend the gala.
"Sharon represents the very best of the good things happening in Utah's public schools," said Kim Campbell, president of the Utah Education Association. "She is a professional educator not only dedicated to her students, but also to her profession. Her passion for education is contagious."
The following four runners-up for the top honor were given special recognition and presented with The Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and $10,000.
Sarah Baird, a math coach at Kyrene del Milenio and Kyrene del Cielo Elementary Schools in Phoenix, Ariz.
Katherine Bishop, a special education teacher at Lake Park Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Tim McCollum, an eighth grade science teacher at Charleston Middle School in Charleston, Ill.
Bob Williams, a high school math teacher at Colony High School in Palmer, Alaska.
The five awardees were introduced by video profiles created by their students with training and technical support donated by the Pearson Foundation. Last fall, a Pearson Foundation team spent several days at each of the awardees' schools instructing students and teachers how to create and produce a video and how to use digital arts technologies. The video profiles can be viewed here. https://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/awards/teaching-excellence-awards/2010-finalists/
"These educators were nominated by their peers because they attained the highest standards of the profession," said Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. "Honoring them is our way to thank them for their excellent work."
In addition to the outstanding educators, the NEA Foundation presented Nickelodeon with The NEA Foundation Award for Philanthropy in Public Education for its commitment to children and to education.
"For more than 30 years, Nickelodeon has engaged and educated children across the nation and around the world," said Sanford. "Nickelodeon has championed the environment, health and wellness, education, and community service. Most recently, through its Big Help Grants, Nickelodeon is providing up to $5,000 in direct support to schools and community-based organizations for environmentally-friendly projects that educate and inspire kids to take care of the environment, themselves, and their communities."
The NEA Foundation also presented Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE http://www.janegoodall.org/ , founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN messenger of Peace, with its Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education for her lifelong achievements in chimpanzee behavioral research and community-centered conservation in Africa, as well as for her international environmental and humanitarian youth program, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots http://www.rootsandshoots.org/ .

Becky Greene Awarded Crystal Apple Award at Larsen Elementary

Becky Greene was nominated by her peers to receive the coveted Crystal Award. Whenever there is a faculty meeting, PLC or other training, you will see Becky bringing her stash of treats to share, making everyone smile. Becky has an extensive love and passion for the gifted program. Teachers are often found in her room asking how to use books a a springboard for gifted activities. Not only does she share this talent with Larsen's Faculty, she inspires students and teachers throughout the district as she runs the district's summer and Saturday gifted programs.
Becky has been generous with her time and talents a a mentor to multiple new teachers, student teachers, interns, and cohorts. She is a lover and buyer of books. She is always willing to share this great love with others, She inspires her students to explore literature with new eyes as they delve into books. She is constantly on the lookout for books that can be used to enhance various aspects of the curriculum.
Becky creatively integrates literature into math and science. Her students become enthusiastic as they read about the middle-ages and then create castles using their new-found geometric knowledge. It is a treat to teach with Becky Greene!

Works4Me Classroom Idea

Heartfelt Help for Haiti

March 23, 2010
From Debra Boyer, a teacher at LE Berger Elementary School in West-Fargo, North Dakota

Our students created a school project called Heats for Haiti and raised $1,193.55, which they donated to the Red Cross. Our school staff prepared a die in the shape of a heart and used it to cut transparency film and pump out scores of hearts for kids to decorate. Students used permanent markers to create a design, including the words Hearts for Haiti. Once the art work was completed, a hole was punched, a string was added, and voilà! We had sun catchers to sell for a suggested $1 donation.

Families aided the effort by bringing the hearts to work, and the children canvassed their neighborhoods. Our school paraprofessionals made a pictograph on a hallway bulletin board showing one heart for every $10 raised. The students were able to follow the growing amount until the second to the last day. The final amount was revealed by the Red Cross representative who came to accept the check. The students cheered and clapped enthusiastically when they heard the total. The student body was bonded as one that day. The heart theme continued when the mom responsible for creating our yearbook decided to take a picture of some of the hearts to use as the yearbook cover. Our success was truly heartfelt!

What Are The Benefits of UEA/NEA Membership?

Educators are busy preparing Utah's children for the future. Most don't have time to monitor the activities of the Legislature. Utah State Board of Education, local boards of education , and other agencies which set rules and regulations affecting public education. That's where UEA comes in, utilizing the strengths of its 18,000 members to influence policy makers and keep tabs on good and bad legislation.

In addition to serving as the "watchdog" for educators and public education, UEA offers its members:

1.Legal protection, including a $1 million liability policy.
2.Assistance with contract enforcement, mediation and fact finding.
3.Lobbying at the Legislature, in the governor's office, before retirement system boards and other state government bodies.
4.Training and professional development opportunities, including the annual UEA convention.
5.Newspapers, newsletters, brochures, handbooks, flyers, video productions and prints, radio and television public service and paid advertising aimed at improving public relations.
6.Access to numerous member-only benefits - life, health, disability and casualty insurance programs, savings and investment programs, credit programs, loan and special discount programs.
7.Horace Mann is proud to announce several positive changes to its Association Auto Advantage programs. We are increasing the "Member Only" discount (which applies to every auto we insure in a member's household), from 10% to 13%. In addition, we are lowering our base rates by 9%. When combined with the additional benefits our policy offers to UEA Members, now is an excellent time to contact your Horace Mann Agent.
The cornerstone of UEA's member representation system is the UniServ program - a statewide staffing network which provides members with professional consultant in any one of 11 geographic locations. Fifteen UniServ directors offer on-site service in bargaining and contract enforcement, as well as advice on grievances, explanation of legal rights, political action and communications assistance, representation before administrators and boards of education, direct assistance at the bargaining table, and guidance related to professional development issues.

Cherry Creek Crystal Apple Award Recipient is Cheryl Nielson

Cheryl Nielson is this year's Crystal Apple recipient for Cherry Creek Elementary in Springville. She was chosen by the teachers at her school because of her positive attitude, problem solving skills, and love of students that she teaches.
One of her colleagues says, "Cheryl is always thinking about the individual child. She wants to understand each child and how to help them succeed around their peers. She has a great attitude with the student and colleagues. Cheryl goes the extra mile."
Cheryl really makes sure that students go above and beyond "just getting it."
With faculty members, she is a team-player who is willing to share great teaching ideas. She puts 100% into her work.
Cheryl graduated from UVSC. She student taught with Mr. Travis Proctor at Cherry Creek. Since being hired, she has con tined to teach 5th grade. In June 2009, she earned her Master's degree from SUU. Currently she is enrolled in an ESL Endorsement course. She is married to Cordell Nielson and they have three children. She enjoys playing the piano, sewing , and playing the Wi with her family.