Afton Elementary School (AES)  started a new tradition on May 14 by awarding two first grade students the Barbara Bagley Love of Reading Award in honor of Bagley, a first grade teacher at AES who passed away in March of 2024 following a battle with cancer after teaching in Lincoln County School District #2 for decades.

“We decided to honor her with an award in her name,” said Ericka Putnam, who teaches first grade at AES. “Wyoming Reads is a statewide reading celebration in which the state of Wyoming gives each first grader a book. Honoring students with the Barabara Bagley Love of Reading Award was one of the “perfect parts of that reading celebration.”

Teachers and administrators chose to hold the celebration on Bagley’s birthday, May 14, in honor of her devotion to children and to the “heart that she put into everything she did.”

Putnam taught at AES with Bagley for seven years in the first grade and for several years prior to that, teaching other grade levels in the school. The two were also neighbors, and Putnam has great respect for Bagley.

Putnam explained that Bagley began her teaching career in Byron, Wyoming in 1975 and faithfully spent a significant amount of time in her classrooms, preparing and planning for her students. “She loved reading – that was one of her passions. She was great at everything, and she was super helpful as a mentor to a lot of us teachers here. She encouraged and was helpful to everyone. She saw potential in every single student, and she taught us how to help them grow and that every child learns differently. She was super creative, too. Just really dedicated.”

Two students are expected to receive the newly minted award each year. Honoring two students with the award gives teachers the flexibility to select students for different qualities, achievements and accomplishments.

The selection committee hopes to recognize students “who had struggled at the beginning of the year and worked hard,” or “who loved reading and read a lot of books. [Bagley] would honor all students” including “kids who loved reading all the time and kids who struggled with reading. She was so good at making sure every kid was recognized.”

This award is for “students who demonstrate an exceptional enthusiasm for reading, or a growing passion for learning through literacy.” Through this award, AES remembers Bagley for her positive influence on generations of children and “honors the spirit of reading and celebrates the lasting impact of a teacher who inspired young readers every day.”