Dear Superintendents,

Milken Award Winners

Friday was a big day for two of our distinguished Wyoming teachers, as they received the 2021 Milken award. Called the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Family Foundation targets early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. The awards come as a complete surprise to the awardees, their families, colleagues, students and friends. How they pull this off is truly amazing.

This morning at Cheyenne Central High School, Governor Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon were on hand to share in the excitement as Aaron Kruger, a 10-12 grade Social Studies teacher received the surprise of a lifetime – a $25,000 giant check – and a real, normal sized one, too.

Watch the video announcement here.

Then the First Lady and myself headed up to Casper to surprise Becky Junge, a fourth grade teacher at Journey Elementary with her Milken award. I had the honor of calling out her name, and what a thrill that was. She received $25,000 as well. Watch her award video here.

Find out more about the Milken Foundation and the awards here. There are no restrictions on how the recipients can use the monies awarded to them.

Language Proficiency – Seal of Biliteracy

On Monday, Governor Mark Gordon signed SEA0047, the Language Proficiency – Seal of Biliteracy into law. It requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a Wyoming seal of biliteracy and an advanced distinction for high school graduates who are proficient in English and one or more world languages. This bill is effective July 1, 2022.

New Chief Policy Officer

As you will see in some of the memos below, Wanda Maloney is the new Chief Policy Officer here at the WDE, as Kari Eakins is transitioning to a position at the Department of Workforce Services. Please join me in thanking Kari for her time at the WDE, and welcoming Wanda into her new role.

Memos to be released today:

• 2022-036-Inspire-Ingenuity-Workshop-PDF
• 2022-037-The-Array-Computer-Science-Pre-Apprenticeship-Training-PDF
• 2022-038-Call-for-Virtual-Proposals-2022-Wyoming-Innovations-in-Learning-Conference-PDF
• 2022-039-2022-Education-Legislation-Information-PDF
• 2022-040-Science-PD-for-Grades-5-and-8-Science-Educators-PDF

Sincerely,

Dear Superintendents,

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind for sure. Notwithstanding, as the dust begins to settle and more clarity is emerging on the significance of the role of Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, with much counsel from friends and family, I have declared my intention to formally run for the position in the upcoming election.

More District Visits

Last week culminated in a road trip to Fremont County, with visits to Fremont County #24 (Shoshoni), Fremont County #25 (Riverton) and Fremont County #38 (Arapahoe). Major kudos to the leadership of these three districts, as well as to their committed and joyful teaching staff who are doing such amazing work in the trenches with our kids.

I also got the chance to stop by Laramie County #2 schools in Albin.

Besides all the other benefits that come from getting out into the field, these district visits only reinforce the need to keep the control at the local levels, as our district superintendents and local school boards are incredibly capable, and know well the dynamics of their individual districts and the DNA of their communities. These schools are in great hands.

Memos to be released today:

• 2022-030-2022-2024-TANF-Grant-Request-for-Proposals-PDF
• 2022-031-Public-Comment-2022-23-Application-for-Part-B-Federal-Special-Education-Funds-PDF
• 2022-032-2022-23-Virtual-Education-Program-Information-PDF
• 2022-033-Call-for-Presenters-for-the-2022-NAEC-PDF
• 2022-034-2022-PAEMST-State-Finalists-PDF
• 2022-035-2022-Native-American-Student-Pacesetter-Awards-PDF

Sincerely,

Dear Superintendents,

Friday, Governor Mark Gordon signed Senate File 32, the K-3 Reading Assessment and Intervention Program bill.

Proclamation Signing

Last Monday, I was honored to accompany the governor and First Lady Jennie Gordon to Arp Elementary in Cheyenne to kick off National School Breakfast Week (March 7-11) with a proclamation signing. I’m proud to share in highlighting and celebrating these important efforts of schools all across Wyoming.

District Visits

With the closing of the legislative session, I am excited to hit the road and see what schools are doing around the state. Wrapping up three “in the field” visits last week to schools in Meeteetse, Powell, and Cody, I was inspired and I am edified by the incredibly committed leadership of these districts and I am amazed beyond words at the creative, cutting-edge work that the teachers and staff exhibit.

From the strong and caring sense of family at Cody High School’s Heart Mountain Academy (the students love it there), to the champion robotics program and multi-disciplinary art displays (no words can describe) at Powell schools, to the reading program and Special Education offerings at Meeteetse schools (one of Wyoming’s best kept secrets).

I look forward to spending time in your districts, classrooms and communities to see first-hand the great work being done at the local level.

Memos to be released today:

• 2022-027-Call-for-Educator-Committee-for-Math-and-ELA-Alignment-Study-PDF
• 2022-028-2023-Wyoming-Teacher-of-the-Year-Application-PDF
• 2022-029-2022-Perkins-Coordinator-Of-The-Year-Nominations-PDF

Sincerely,

Dear Superintendents,

As we enter the final week of the legislative session here at the Capitol, a couple of education bills have made it to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk and are awaiting his signature: SF31 – Absenteeism and truancy and HB30 – School finance-increase cash reserves. In addition to the bills moving through the session, this busy week saw many visitors make their way to the Capitol.

On Wednesday, a small group gathered in the governor’s official ceremonial conference room to commemorate the signing of his official Proclamation to “Take Your Elected Official to School Month.” As a tribute to both our students and our public servants, this proclamation highlights Governor Gordon’s commitment to education, public service and the link between each. Hopefully, it will result in many students – and educators – inviting their local elected official to attend school for a day!

And it is always such a delight to interact with the young people that come through the WDE almost every week. On February 25, there was a fine group of young men and young ladies in their sharp red blazers from SkillsUSA. Inquisitive, articulate and respectful, they persuasively advocated for the place of Career and Technical Education in our  schools, as well as the need to make it part of the required offerings at the high school level, rather than as an elective.

On Wednesday, I was honored to be joined by some of our legislative interns who wanted to know more about the role of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as they consider their own future in public service. How inspiring to meet such quality young people, who are already committed and invested in the future of their country.

The WDE Level Up program held it’s legislative training on Friday, which brought district Teachers of the Year, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) winners, and Milken Award recipients.

Also, Wyoming’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Brittney Montgomery, a first-grade teacher at Sweetwater County School District #2’s Harrison Elementary School in Green River, spoke to both the Wyoming House and Senate about how Wyoming students are the most important asset in the state, who are learning how to live in a digital world – and are being asked to do more at a younger age. She also spoke about teacher responsibility and burnout, and about finding a pathway to recruit more people to the profession. Her speech can be viewed in full here.

Memos to be released today:

• 2022-025-Wyoming-Advisory-Panel-for-Students-with-Disabilities-PDF
• 2022-026-Federal-Maintenance-of-Effort-and-Maintenance-of-Equity-Requirements-Presentation-PDF

Sincerely,

Brian Schroeder
Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dear Superintendents,

I had the honor of traveling with Governor Mark Gordon to Newcastle last week to celebrate Keeley Anderson, an intervention specialist at Newcastle Middle School, who was named as the national 2022 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) awardee.

In planning this event, our amazing team here at the WDE was able to successfully keep this whole event tightly under wraps so it would be a complete surprise to Keeley, her family, the students and the teachers in Newcastle. What a thrill it was to see Keeley’s reaction (surprise, joy and tears!) and be able to give honor to whom honor is due. Keeley is a special person, truly one of our country’s unsung heroes, and we are grateful to her for the difference she is making in the lives of the students in Newcastle.

Learn more about the award here and watch U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s award video here.

Visiting Hulett School

Besides the Newcastle visit and the beautiful country we witnessed, we were able to interact with many hard-working leaders and classroom teachers at the nearby Hulett School.

One second grade teacher I met, Beth Marlatt, has been teaching 40 years, all in Hulett. She is, by all accounts, a local legend – and another one of those very special people working with our kids.

Hats off to the staff and student bodies of Weston County School District #1 and Crook County School District #1 Thank you for having us – it was a banner day up in the northeast part of the state!

Memos to be released today:

Dear Superintendents,

Week two at the WDE has been very eventful, what with the legislative session opening. We kicked off the week with the State of the State address on Monday, where Governor Mark Gordon recognized Wyoming’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Brittany Montgomery, a first-grade teacher at Harrison Elementary in Green River:

The Legislature will begin their work on the budget next week. Currently, the budget contains a single-year external cost adjustment for educational materials and energy, which would equal a $10.4 million increase in the School Foundation Program for 2022-23.

Lastly, the WDE, along with several of our education partners, has created the K-3 Literacy Guidance Framework for teachers to use in their classrooms. Please share this framework widely with your individual educators: Literacy Guidance Framework

There are no memos this week.

Sincerely,

Brian Schroeder
Superintendent of Public Instruction