Teacher honored with awards

A Green River teacher has already received honors on a local level and now he will receive national recognition.

Green River High School teacher Bradlee Skinner was recently given the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Teacher of the Year award. He was also notified he will receive the Educator of the Year award in July.

Skinner has only been with District No. 2 for two years, but has been teaching for 18 years. For the district's award, Skinner was nominated by his students. Their nomination went to the superintendent.

"I was notified I was a finalist and was asked to share why I love being a teacher and how I have made a difference for my students," Skinner said.

After this information was submitted, Skinner was notified he was going to be named District No. 2's teacher of the year.

"I was honored and humbled," he said.

Skinner is hoping this honor will show others the great work the theater department is doing.

"I believe it says that we are helping students succeed and to follow their passions," Skinner said. "I think most of all it says that GRHS is a place where students will get a high-quality education from every teacher as it is the staff and faculty who continually inspire to do a little each day to be a little better."

Skinner will now have the opportunity to represent District No. 2 on the statewide level as its candidate for the Wyoming Teacher of the Year award.

Educator of the Year

This award is given each year to those who have positively impacted the climate and culture of their school through Jostens Renaissance's five R's, which are respect, reward, recognize, reinforce and results. Skinner was nominated by Darrin Peppard, who is the current superintendent of West Grand School District in Kremmling, Colo. Peppard was the former principal of Rock Springs High School. Skinner worked at the RSHS prior to making the move to GRHS

Skinner had no idea he had even been nominated for the award and was overcome with emotions when he found out he was one of three going to be recognized out of 6,000 schools.

"I was genuinely surprised and may have cried a little. It was a bit overwhelming to receive such recognition for the work we are doing at GRHS," Skinner said.

Skinner knows this recognition is a reflection of the quality education students can receive in Green River.

"When we focus on the culture and climate of a school we are providing a learning environment where students are safe and they enjoy their education experience," Skinner said.

"Students in a positive school culture and climate are more likely to see increased test scores, improved attendance and decreased behavioral issues. Students simply do better at a school they like."

This honor also reassures Skinner that he chose the correct career path.

"There was a time when I was uncertain if education was the right career for me. I doubted myself, my abilities and even left teaching for a time," Skinner said. After exploring other career options, I came back to teaching. I felt it was where I needed to be. Since returning to teaching, I have been fortunate to work with some of the greatest educators I have ever known. I have met incredible students who I fully believe will change the world."

Skinner says he wouldn't have had the success he's had without a good support system from his family, friends and coworkers.

"It is truly amazing to see the good that can occur when you surround yourself with people who are determined to see you succeed and free yourself from those who hope to see you fail," Skinner said. "I always encourage and teach my students to be the type of friend and coworker who always celebrates the successes of others, no matter how big or small."

He also tries to teach his students to be the kind of person who is determined to see others succeed and share in others' successes. Skinner knows what he has learned over his teaching career has helped him become the educator he has become.

"I am so grateful for the incredible administrators and leadership of those in both Green River and Rock Springs as they all helped shape me into the educator I am today," Skinner said.

"They motivate me to never be a person who says it cannot be done and instead they simply allow me to get things done. And most of all for surrounding me with the best group of educators to be found anywhere."

Skinner also believes that a great curriculum is good to have, but if a great teacher isn't available to teach it, the curriculum won't see success.

"Great teachers are the key to a great education for the youth of today. Their is no substitute for a great teacher," Skinner said. "Even the most outstanding curriculum design or state-of-the-art facilities cannot override the importance of a great teacher."

Skinner will be recognized with the other two recipients at the Jostens Renaissance National Conference awards banquet in Orlando, Fla. in July.