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Taggart Wins Arch Coal Teacher
Achievement Award
 CHEYENNE, Wyo. (May 3, 2006) – Shan Rae
Taggart believes she was destined to
become a teacher. “As a child, playing
school was a favorite pastime, and
throughout my school years, many of my
fondest memories included my teachers,”
she notes. “I enjoyed interactions with
kind and dedicated teachers, who
encouraged me to study the flute, feel
confident with math, participate in high
school sports, and to become a teacher
like them.
“My parents confirmed the importance of
education as a profession,” Taggart
adds. “They constantly encouraged me to
graduate from college. They supported me
both emotionally and financially – with
teaching as a goal. Their belief was
that teaching afforded a woman the
benefits of having both a meaningful
career and a family life. At the time, I
did not relate to their reasoning. Since
then, I have often appreciated it. My
experiences as a classroom teacher are
some of the best of my life.”
Today Taggart can add yet another
experience to her fond memories. She was
one of only 10 teachers statewide to
earn a 2006 Arch Coal Teacher
Achievement Award. Steven F. Leer, Arch
Coal chairman and chief executive
officer, made the announcement during a
presentation ceremony this afternoon at
Johnson Junior High School. He was
accompanied by Gov. and First Lady Dave
and Nancy Freudenthal; Mary Kay Hill,
director of administration for the
Department of Education; Wyoming
Education Association Executive Director
Jean Hayek; and Arch Coal President and
Chief Operating Officer John Eaves.
“I knew that our judges had chosen
wisely when I read that Shan Rae Taggart
felt that her classroom teaching
experiences are some of the best
experiences in her life,” says Leer.
“Here is someone who feels privileged to
influence young lives by being a
teacher.”
Taggart teaches at Wapiti Elementary
near Cody, Wyo. “I believe all students
can learn,” she notes. “As the teacher,
it is my responsibility to facilitate
learning for all students in the most
effective and enjoyable way possible.
Some students are visual learners, and
some learn best with auditory support.
Some are kinesthetic learners or a
combination of all these. I must take
all learning styles into account in my
classroom. I must also consider that
students learn at different rates.
“I am optimistic and energetic about
teaching,” Taggart adds. “I am willing
to work hard. I am willing to ask for
advice, to try new approaches. I expect
to put in long days and carry homework
home with me at the end of the day. I’m
a teacher!”
Taggart earned bachelor’s degrees at
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah;
and the University of Wyoming. She
continues her development through
courses offered by her district’s
administration and plans to continue
working toward a Master’s Degree in
Education through the University of
Wyoming. Within the community, Taggart
supports and participates in a range of
historical, arts, music, political,
church, education and other initiatives.
In addition to recognition, teacher
achievement award recipients receive a
$2,500 unrestricted, personal cash
award, a distinctive trophy and a
plaque. 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, Loaf ‘n Jug,
and the Wyoming Library community in
program promotion. This is the sixth
year Arch Coal has made the awards in
Wyoming.
Arch Coal is the nation’s second largest
coal producer and employs approximately
900 people in Wyoming. Arch produces
more than 90 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.
Information about each of the recipients
is posted on the Arch Coal Web site:
www.archteacherawards.com.
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