Arch Coal Honors 10 Wyoming Teachers at 10th Annual Achievement Awards Ceremony

CHEYENNE, Wyo., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ten outstanding Wyoming classroom teachers received Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards today at a ceremony in the House of Representatives chamber in the Wyoming Capitol. The occasion marked the 10th anniversary of the Arch Coal Foundation's statewide teacher recognition program in Wyoming.

In addition to Arch Coal Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven F. Leer, Governor Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jim McBride and Wyoming Education Association President Kathryn Valido honored the recipients.

"While we may find texts and tweets efficient forms of communication in our busy lives," said Leer during his remarks, "this country needs people who can dig deep into issues and who reason and think independently – problem solvers, good citizens, and hard workers who contribute to a better future for us all. Great teachers provide the foundation.

"Today, Arch's coal miners in Wyoming go to work with college and technical school degrees, with understanding of complex geological formations, trained on advanced safety programs, and able to utilize some of the most sophisticated mining machinery in the world," said Leer. "All their skills were learned at the hands – and hearts – of the dedicated classroom teachers like those we honor today.

"During a decade of participating in our awards program, I have marveled each year at the quality of the teachers being recognized," said Leer. "Wyoming has a large cadre of professional educators who are teaching our children the skills they will need individually to succeed and collectively to better our world."

"I am a product of Wyoming's schools, by way of Thermopolis, and I remember my teachers who developed in me an appreciation for math, and helped me learn to read, something I still cherish today," said Gov. Freudenthal. "We can all remember that special teacher in our own lives who said something, did something extra that inspired in us a love of learning, or even just a hard-earned sense of true confidence that we could, indeed, accomplish those things that we dreamed of accomplishing. I want to thank Arch Coal Foundation for making this 'thank you' all the more memorable because of its support. On behalf of the citizens of the State, I offer my deepest appreciation and gratitude to our teachers."

"Our teachers spend each day working with and developing the minds of our future," Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jim McBride said. "It is important that we recognize our distinguished teachers for their commitment and hard work.

"For the last 10 years, Arch Coal has been an unwavering leader and partner in the support and recognition of our Wyoming teachers," said McBride. "I have great appreciation and respect for what Arch Coal has done for our teachers over those years and I look forward to working with the company and the Arch Coal Foundation in the future."

"Over the past 10 years, Arch Coal has generously recognized the excellent teachers working in Wyoming's schools by showcasing both their effectiveness and passion for their profession.  WEA is very proud to have been a partner with Arch Coal from the very beginning of the Arch Coal Teacher Awards," said Kathryn Valido, Wyoming Education Association president.

In 10 years, the Arch Coal Foundation has honored 100 exemplary Wyoming classroom teachers. The foundation has provided $270,000 in cash awards to the teachers.

Each recipient receives a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a $3,500 personal, cash award. Nominations of the teachers are made by the public, and selection is made by a blue-ribbon panel of the teachers' peers, all former recipients of the Arch Coal award.

The Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Education Association, the Wyoming library community, Taco John's and Loaf 'N Jug stores are longstanding supporters of the program.

The Arch Coal Foundation also is a supporter of teacher-recognition programs in West Virginia, Utah and Colorado, as well as a number of other education-related causes.

Arch Coal, Inc. is the nation's second largest coal producer. Arch Coal's subsidiaries Thunder Basin Coal Company and Arch of Wyoming employ approximately 1,800 people in Wyoming. Thunder Basin's Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines produce approximately 12 percent of the annual U.S. coal supply. Arch Coal is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Information about each of the 100 current and past Wyoming recipients is posted at http://archteacherawards.com.

SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.