Dubois High School’s Radkey Receives Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award

Cheyenne (April 25, 2003) — Janet Radkey views each and every day as a new and exciting adventure. “That is why I teach,” she says. “A light comes on for a student who has been struggling; a student compliments me on the tamales we prepared in world geography; or a voice in the hall says, ‘Hey, Mrs. Radkey! I saw something on CNN last night that may interest you!’

“Every exchange, even the simplest of words, makes me a part of these young people’s lives,” she adds. “I recently received a letter from a student currently at Boise State, who told me I had made a difference in her life. I was thrilled!”

Radkey just received yet another thrill. She is one of only 10 Wyoming teachers to receive a 2003 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal president and chief executive officer, made the announcement, accompanied by Governor Dave Freudenthal, Deputy Superintendent of Education Mary Kay Hill, and Kathryn Valido, a member of the executive committee of the Wyoming Education Association, during a ceremony at Cheyenne East High School.

“In this third year of our teacher recognition program in Wyoming, we continue to see teacher excellence across the state,” says Leer. “We believe outstanding teachers are the cornerstone of a good education. These recipients bring the magic of learning into their classrooms every day, and they have experience, expertise and a passion for learning themselves.”

Radkey teaches U.S. history, world geography, U.S. government and current events at Dubois High School, Dubois, Wyo. “My philosophy of teaching is simple: be excited about what you teach and always remember you are teaching someone’s child, not just a subject!” she says. “My purpose is to teach kids to think independently and creatively and to foster intellectual curiosity.

“I expect all my students to become productive, caring members of society,” Radkey adds. “My students will not remember everything I teach, but they will remember how I treat them. Respect and dignity must be granted to each and every student.”

Radkey earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona and 40+ hours of graduate credit from various institutions. She continues her education through international travel, and she received a Fulbright-Hays fellowship to Hungary and Poland and a Fulbright Memorial scholarship to Japan. Radkey serves as a group leader for Educational Foundations student tours, and she takes a group of students overseas each summer. She has been a district representative at the Wyoming Consortium and continues to attend professional conferences to ensure continuing classroom effectiveness. Radkey supports her community through involvement in fund-raising, church and additional education-related initiatives.

In addition to recognition, award recipients receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash prize, a distinctive glass trophy and a framed certificate. The Arch Coal teacher recognition program features public nomination and peer selection. Arch Coal is supported by the Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Education Association, Taco John’s and MiniMart in program promotion.

Arch Coal is the nation’s second largest coal producer and employs 600 people in Wyoming. Arch produces more than 65 million tons of clean-burning, low-sulfur coal annually at its Wyoming operations. The company’s 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, Mo.