Teacher of the Year
Past Winners
Teacher of the Year
Sandra Johnson – Lusk – 2007 Laurie Wasserburger – Lusk – 2007 Shelly Falkenburg – Douglas – 2006 Joanne Pearson – Buffalo - 2005 Brant Jungck – Poison Spider - 2004 Elizabeth David – Pinedale - 2004 Jason Williams – Kaycee – 2004 Scott Studie – Kaycee – 2003 Jay Butler – Douglas – 2003 Carrie Johnson – Lander – 2003 Nancy Tsandes – Cheyenne – 2002 Becky Butler – Cheyenne – 2002 Evelyn Mancell – Cheyenne – 2002 Connie Whitaker – Cheyenne – 2002 Thomas Miller – Powell – 2001 Millie Abernathy – Lander – 2000 Marty Higginbotham – Hudson - 2000 Teresa Tucker – Lusk – 2000 Wava Tully – Lusk – 2000 Anita Troudt – Lusk – 2000 Holly Nelson – Lusk – 2000 Mary Owens – Midwest – 1999
Nick Siddle – Sheridan – 2007 Ron Pulse – Cheyenne – 2006 Randy Epler – Yoder – 2005 Rex Hanner – Lyman – 2004 Troy Gladson –2003 Damein Christensen – Douglas – 2002 Tommy Cress – Cheyenne – 2001 Ty Berry – Cheyenne – 2001 Jack Sorenson – Wheatland – 2000 Rob McCray – Powell – 2006
Epler receives Exemplary Educator of the Year Award PULL QUOTE: “I believe that teachers not only provide valuable learning opportunities for students, but they also inherently provide a powerful influence over children's beliefs, attitudes, and endeavors in life. As an agriculture educator, I strive to raise students' awareness and understanding of agriculture and natural resources to promote the value of agriculture in today's society. My role as an agriculture educator is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the agriculture and natural resource industry in an ever-changing world. Agriculture is our nation's most important industry and children are our nation's most important resource. I can think of no other occupation that has greater purpose and meaning than teaching today's youth about the importance of agriculture.” – 2005 Wyoming Ag in the Classroom Exemplary Education of the Year, Randy Epler Southeast High School Agriculture Education Teacher and FFA Advisor and FFA Advisor Randy Epler has been chosen by Wyoming Ag in the Classroom to receive this year's “Exemplary Educator of the Year Award.” Epler, who has taught at Southeast High School since 1983, was raised on a farming and ranching operation in Laramie County . He says it was there that he developed a passion for ag life. “I obtained my degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Wyoming in 1983 and began my teaching career at Southeast High School . My wife, Belinda, teaches 2nd Grade at Southeast Elementary School and our two children, Brittany (age 17) and Brodie (age 14) attend Southeast Schools and are active in the Agriculture Education/FFA program in addition to numerous other school and community activities and organizations,” says Epler. Epler says he has enjoyed his teaching 22-year teaching career. “The agriculture program and curriculum has changed dramatically over the years,” he says. “In 1983, the agriculture program consisted of 20 students, mostly a rural male population. Today nearly 60 students are enrolled in the agriculture program which provides instruction that meets the needs of the diverse student population, including a large female population. Many students enrolled in the Southeast Agriculture Education program have been recognized at the state and national levels for their outstanding FFA achievements and accomplishments. My goal has always been to maintain high expectations for student achievement and to provide a quality learning environment where students can gain an awareness and understanding of the vast employment opportunities in agriculture and natural resources and participate in real-world leadership and personal growth opportunities provided by the FFA.” Epler says the Junior High Agriculture Education courses for 7th-8th grade focus on Food Science (Producing, Processing and Marketing Food Products) and Natural Resources (Water, Soil and Plant Life). “Student engagement in a wide variety of learning activities helps students to understand the importance of agriculture and natural resources in our society,” says Epler. High School Agriculture courses offer a variety of curriculum areas including: Animal Science, Plant/Soil/Insect Science, Agriculture Economics and Marketing, Farm and Ranch Business Management and Agscience Technology. “In addition,” says Epler, “courses are offered for students interested in Welding Technology and Fabrication. The Agriculture Education courses include both in-classroom instruction and activities and out-of-classroom learning and competitive events provided through the FFA organization.” Epler says, “I believe that teachers not only provide valuable learning opportunities for students, but they also inherently provide a powerful influence over children's beliefs, attitudes, and endeavors in life. As an agriculture educator, I strive to raise students' awareness and understanding of agriculture and natural resources to promote the value of agriculture in today's society. My role as an agriculture educator is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the agriculture and natural resource industry in an ever-changing world. Agriculture is our nation's most important industry and children are our nation's most important resource. I can think of no other occupation that has greater purpose and meaning than teaching today's youth about the importance of agriculture.” Wyoming Agriculture In The Classroom (WAIC) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1987 for the purpose of developing an understanding about the importance and the values of agriculture and its role in maintaining and improving the environment, economy, and quality of life. The annual teacher awards is just one of the many programs that WAIC has developed to promote agriculture awareness for Wyoming students. If you would like more information on the products and programs WAIC has to offer please contact Sarka White at 307-777-6618 or swhite@state.wy.us . |
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