Arch Insights
Susan Mary Childers Receives Arch Coal
Teacher Achievement Award
February
25, 2004 — For the past 25 years, physical
education teacher Susan Mary Childers has been
living a dream. "I savor every minute I have
with my students, because I feel physical
education is the most important subject they
have," she says. "Physical education is the
primary source for inclusion of students of all
abilities. This experience teaches most of them
the humility and patience necessary in dealing
with one another that may not be afforded in
other classes."
Today, Childers got to savor yet another aspect
of her career. She is one of only 10 teachers in
West Virginia to earn a 2004 Arch Coal Teacher
Achievement Award. Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal
president and chief executive officer, made the
announcement, accompanied by West Virginia
Governor Bob Wise; Secretary of Education and
Arts Kay Goodwin; State Schools Superintendent
Dr. David Stewart; and WVEA President Tom Lange,
in a presentation ceremony at the state capitol.
"When I see the accomplishments of our honorees,
I know the students of West Virginia are in good
hands," says Leer. "Each day, these teachers
challenge, inspire and help students develop a
passion for life-long learning. Arch Coal is
proud to recognize some of the state’s most
talented teachers."
Childers teaches physical education at
Parkersburg South High School. "It is my
responsibility to give students the opportunity
to experience a wide variety of physical
activities," she says.
"I want them to understand that physical
education is not just about ’sports’ and is not
just for the ’athlete.’ I try to show them that
being physically active on a daily basis can be
fun and is a necessity for a long and healthful
life," she adds. "Knowing the ever-increasing
data on heart disease, obesity and inactivity,
it is my role to give students the skills and
knowledge for caring for themselves throughout
their lives."
Childers earned her bachelor’s degree at West
Virginia’s Salem College; a master’s degree at
Salem-Teikyo University; and 45 plus hours at
West Virginia University, Morgantown. Her
professional affiliations include the American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance and the West Virginia
Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance, in which she has filled a
number of offices. She has participated in and
presented at numerous national, district and
state conventions and led Physical Education
Staff Development in her county for many years.
Childers served as a member of the Wood County
Staff Development Council, helped her school
earn a number of grants, and was named the West
Virginia Secondary Physical Educator of the Year
in 1994. She further supports her community
through involvement in a variety of church,
education and civic activities.
In addition to recognition, award recipients
receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash prize, a
distinctive trophy and a classroom plaque. The
Arch Coal teacher recognition program features
public nomination and peer selection. The West
Virginia Foundation for the Improvement of
Education is making a $1,000 award to each
recipient’s school for use with at-risk
students.
Arch Coal is supported by the West Virginia
Department of Education, the West Virginia
Education Association and Speedway in program
promotion. Arch Coal’s Teacher Achievement
Awards is the longest running, privately
sponsored teacher recognition program in the
state.
Arch Coal is the nation’s second largest coal
producer and a supplier of clean-burning,
low-sulfur coal exclusively. Approximately 2,000
people are employed at Arch’s operations in West
Virginia. The company is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its
corporate headquarters in St. Louis.