Cheyenne Central High’s Eisenhart Receives Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award

Cheyenne (May 3, 2002) - DeAnn E. Eisenhart, a mathematics teacher at Cheyenne Central High School, has been named a 2002 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award recipient.

Steven F. Leer, president and chief executive officer of Arch Coal, made the announcement. Gov. Jim Geringer, Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole, and Wyoming Education Association Communications Director Ron Sniffin joined Leer at the ceremony at Jessup Elementary School in Cheyenne, which honored 10 recipients of the award.

“Arch Coal is pleased to honor 10 excellent Wyoming teachers, who every day bring the magic of learning to their students,” Leer says. “We believe that great classroom teachers are primary, positive influences in American education. I know these teachers dare their students to succeed – and then teach them how!”

Eisenhart, who has taught for 17 years – in Cheyenne and Newcastle – says her greatest award is “seeing a look of accomplishment in her students’ eyes when they finally bridge the gap between just ‘doing math’ and true understanding.”

“I know firsthand that Mrs. Eisenhart has purchased materials and equipment with her own salary in an attempt to supply the needs of her students,” says Kent Lambert, an external civil rights officer with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Jenna Green, Mrs. Eisenhart’s former student, says, “As my teacher, she willingly devoted her time and effort to bettering me as a student, as well as a person.”

“She teaches her students, knowing they will be math students for only a short time, but people their whole lives, says Gordon Knopp, math department chair at Central High School. “She exemplifies the qualities and traits that make the world a better place. If her students decide to live by half of these, then we will have a great future.”

“Flexibility and creativity are essential in today’s classroom,” says Eisenhart. It is imperative to present material in a variety of ways and allow students to demonstrate their understanding in the manner that best fits their leaning style.

“Teaching children is one of the greatest responsibilities in a society,” she adds. “Without teachers, there could be no doctors, lawyers or engineers.”

Each recipient receives a $2,500 unrestricted cash award and a distinctive glass trophy, in addition to other recognition. The Arch Coal teacher recognition program is unique because it features public nomination and peer selection. This is the second year for the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards in Wyoming.

The Department of Education, the Wyoming Education Association, Taco John’s and MiniMart support Arch Coal in the program.

Arch Coal is the nation’s second largest coal producer and employs more than 500 people in Wyoming. The company produces more than 65 million tons of clean-burning, low-sulfur coal annually at its Wyoming operations. Its Black Thunder operation in Campbell County is one of the nation’s largest and most efficient coal mines. Arch Coal is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis.