• Sharolyn Stauffer, making a difference in Lincoln 2, like so many of our educators. Our schools — a key decision to raise a family here for a 20-something young couple.

As I travel the state observing schools and even fulfilling assignments on the Legislature’s Education Committee, I continue to fall back on the successes I find in Star Valley with Lincoln County School District No. 2.

In addition to making the observations from a public service assignment, I repetitively see our local achievements as I take on assignments with media.

The success of our local schools was probably a key factor in our decision to raise our family here. As a young 20-something couple with one baby in our arms  I was seeing the success of our schools but more importantly coming across teachers who made a positive difference. Now decades later I’m still seeing that same success and teachers that make a great difference.

This week I wrote a story for SVI about history teacher Sharolyn Stauffer as she was honored with the Wyoming History Teacher of the Year  award. (See related story on page 10A.)

One of her comments caught my attention during our interview. Speaking of the students and their work in her history and government classes she noted of how they improve in more ways than just history.

Stauffer said, “As they are assessed formatively across the year, I can really see that they are learning better writing skills, better analysis skills, and, you know, thinking more critically, and hopefully preparing them for college and other things that they do in their life.”

Then with added emphasis our Star Valley High School educator continued, “And also to be better citizens, I really think that teaching history is so much fun, because we can think about people, and the choices that people made, and those kinds of things.”

To be better citizens while developing a multitude of skills. That’s our SVHS educator and our school system.

I found that scenario many times and with many educators while covering the Star Valley schools at all levels.

Proud to be associated with Lincoln 2!