The 2026 Teacher of the Year program honors excellence in teaching around the State of Wyoming.

Michelle Roundy

Michelle Roundy, a 10th- and 12th-grade English Language Arts teacher at Jackson Hole High School in Teton County School District #1, has been named the 2026 Wyoming Teacher of the Year.

An educator for 18 years, Roundy has developed a deep belief that strong, authentic relationships—amongst teachers and students—are at the heart of meaningful learning. Her teaching centers on cultivating genuine curiosity about the world while nurturing student agency.

“Michelle Roundy is an inspiring leader,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder. “Her dedication to cultivating deep relationships, empowering students with agency and choice, and elevating student voices models the excellence we strive for across our state.”

Roundy is a National Board Certified Teacher and a strong advocate for literacy and student-centered practice. Over her career, she has consistently modeled the importance of being held to high standards and using leadership to elevate the voices of others.

“Everything Michelle does begins with the relationships and trust she builds with her students daily,” says Bennett Lieberman, Principal at Jackson Hole High School. “She also makes her colleagues better teachers by sharing best practices and is a master diagnostician when coaching others to improve their craft.”

Teton County School District #1 Interim Superintendent Scott Crisp adds, “Michelle embodies the very best of the teaching profession, serving as a positive cultural influence for both students and staff. Beyond her classroom, she guides colleagues in effective instruction, mentors new and experienced teachers alike, and serves as the leader of TCSD’s New Teacher Program, fostering the next generation of educators in our community.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to represent Wyoming as the 2026 Wyoming Teacher of the Year, an opportunity to serve the students and educators of Wyoming in a new capacity,” says Roundy. “Many dedicated educators have supported my journey and modeled the importance of servant leadership for me. It is my wish that I can fill this role in a way that honors them.”

As Wyoming Teacher of the Year, Roundy will represent the teaching profession in Wyoming and serve as a spokesperson for education. She will also attend state and national education events and conferences, acting as a liaison between the teaching community, the Wyoming Legislature, the Wyoming Department of Education, districts, and communities.

  • A liaison between the teaching community, Wyoming Legislature, Wyoming Department of Education, districts and communities.
  • An education ambassador to businesses, parents, service organizations, and media.
  • A resource on the state of the profession; to be available for workshops and conferences around the state.
  • An education leader involved in teacher forums and education reform.
  • The WTOY is also expected to attend both state and national events such as education meetings, conferences, and workshops.

The WTOY will be requested to attend many events and make speeches during the year, they must be poised, articulate, and have the energy to withstand a busy schedule. The WTOY automatically becomes the nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program, which is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The successful candidate who will serve as the Wyoming Teacher of the Year (WTOY) must maintain his/her current employment position. If the WTOY is selected as the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY), they will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of national recognition.

Being named WTOY comes with the significant responsibility of representing the teaching profession in Wyoming.

At the end of each school year, every Wyoming district is encouraged to select a District Teacher of the Year (DTOY). From that pool, we encourage the DTOYs to apply for an opportunity to be named the Wyoming Teacher of the Year.

All applications received by the deadline (June 27th) will go to the WDE selection panel for review. This Application Information Document provides more information about the WTOY selection process.

Scoring of each application will be based on the TOY Rubric. The selection panel will individually score each application. The TOY Coordinator will compile all scores to have the top three applications become finalists.

The finalists will also be scheduled for virtual interviews where the entire selection panel will ask finalists questions about their teaching style and practices. The questions for this interview will NOT be given out ahead of time. In addition, the finalists will be asked to give a 5-7 minute keynote addressing their platform topic.

The selection panel will score both the finalist keynotes and interviews individually. Again, scores will be combined to select the WTOY. If there is a tie, the selection panel will meet to discuss and select a recommendation for final approval by the State Superintendent.

A document with suggestions for submitting your application can be found here.

What does it mean to be the 2026 Wyoming Teacher of the Year?

I am deeply humbled and honored to represent Wyoming as the 2026 Wyoming Teacher of the Year, an opportunity to serve the students and educators of Wyoming in a new capacity. I have learned from and been supported by many outstanding and dedicated educators. It is my wish that I can fill this role in a way that honors them. Many guides have profoundly impacted my decision to become a teacher and my continued growth as a teacher. They held me to high standards, believed in me, and elevated my voice, which not only cultivated my success but also modeled for me the importance of servant leadership. It is the highest honor to work alongside outstanding educators as we serve students and teachers across Wyoming.

Why does education matter?

Two words come to mind with this question: opportunity and choice. America is still the land of opportunity and while there are more opportunities today than ever before, the doors of these opportunities rarely open simply by desire. Underneath the ideas, desire, and grit lies the critical underpinnings of an education, which means that it is imperative to our growth as a society that all children receive one. With this foundation, students use their agency to decide what role they wish to play in the workforce and how they want to contribute to society. Our future rests within the decisions of our students, perhaps making education the most important factor of the success of our society. 

 Describe what you take away from teaching that is especially valuable to you.

Whether with students, parents, or colleagues, true collaboration is made up of relationships founded on vulnerability and respectful trust. Often, the meaning of “respect” is conflated with obedience or niceness. But respect is actually a deep concern for the other person. It means “I can disagree with you, but I care about you and I care about you as a human being” When I’m with students, I pay attention and I listen. I show up WITH them and not in front of them. Together, we learn how to have concern for one another, inviting vulnerability and building trust. Success then, more than a good grade, is about growth and the ability to navigate mistakes and discomfort in all areas of life. When a student or a teacher can navigate their own mistakes, come to terms with them, and turn them into their greatest strengths, this is success and it is the heart of being a thriving human being. This is the work I value most.

  • 2025 Morgan Hahn, Lander Valley High School
  • 2024 John Corbin, Cody High School
  • 2023 Zach Beam, Newcastle High School
  • 2022 Brittney Montgomery, Harrison Elementary School
  • 2021 Alexis Barney, Evansville Elementary School
  • 2020 Dane Weaver, Tensleep School
  • 2019 Valerie Bruce, Rozet Elementary
  • 2018 Sara Reed, Hillcrest Elementary
  • 2017 Ryan Fuhrman, Sheridan Junior High School
  • 2016 Amy Pierson, Cloud Peak Elementary
  • 2015 Tyler Bartlett, Newcastle Middle School
  • 2014 Mick Wiest, Fort Mackenzie
  • 2013 Laura Drake, Goins Elementary
  • 2012 Hebert “Brent” Daly, Campbell County High School
  • 2011 Laurie Graves, Big Horn Elementary
  • 2010 Christina Mills, Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School
  • 2009 Alice King, Campbell County High School
  • 2008 Eileen Johnson, Indian Paintbrush Elementary
  • 2007 Mark Nethercott, Star Valley High School
  • 2006 Carol Kirkwood, Laramie High School
  • 2005 Debi Gaines, Saratoga Elementary
  • 2004 Jack Patrick, Saratoga High School
  • 2003 Eric Stemle, Evanston High School
  • 2002 Marcia Patton, Kelly Walsh High School
  • 2001 Cindy Gulisano, Lingle-Ft. Laramie Elementary School
  • 2000 Bernie Schnorenberg, Sundance Elementary School
  • 1999 June Vialpando Moore, Beitel Elementary School
  • 1998 Mary Ellen Krisko, Worland Middle School
  • 1997 Kevin Tennant, Campbell County High School
  • 1996 Pamela Moore, Aspen Elementary School
  • 1995 Joan Brummond, Afflerbach Elementary School
  • 1994 Sharon Yovich, Thayer Elementary School
  • 1993 Judith McBride, Slade Elementary School
  • 1992 Joan Marie, Barker Green River High School
  • 1991 Bette Sample, Gertrude Burns Elementary School
  • 1990 Rod Laird, Saratoga Elementary & Middle School
  • 1989 Mark Levitt, Green River High School
  • 1988 Janice Truchot, Sundance Elementary School
  • 1987 Lois Distad, Bar Nunn Elementary School
  • 1986 Mercine Miller, Tongue River Elementary School
  • 1985 Robert Meredith, Shoshoni High School
  • 1984 Charlotte Levendosky, Crest Hill Elementary School
  • 1983 Ann Tollefson, Natrona County High School
  • 1982 Robert Hilgenfeld, East Junior High School
  • 1981 Lois Sackman, Riverton High School
  • 1980 Elizabeth Shelton, Big Horn High School
  • 1979 Mignon Hill, Laramie Elementary Schools
  • 1978 Steve Campbell, Ashgrove Elementary School
  • 1977 Jeanne Curran, Rock Springs East Junior High School
  • 1976 Rosaleee Ammons, Osage Elementary School
  • 1975 Margaret Mecca, Hot Springs County High School
  • 1974 Maxine Torbert, Sheridan High School
  • 1973 Helen Meldrum, Buffalo High School
  • 1972 Margaret Blacker, Laramie High School
  • 1971 William Malloy, Thermopolis Elementary & Junior High School
  • 1970 Janette Plott, Central Junior High School, Sheridan WY
  • 1969 Karl Allen, Hot Springs County High School
  • 1968 Helen Kienlan, Elementary
  • 1967 Ann Halseth, Yellow Tone School, Rocksprings
  • 1966 Pearl Bader, Ten Sleep Elementary School
  • 1965 Lawrence Bays, Wheatland High School
  • 1964 Letha Dickinson, Riverton Elementary School
Contact
Madison Lacey

Teacher Leadership & Awards Consultant

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