Kraynok Receives Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 5, 2006) – Sandra Ann Kraynok has a simple philosophy on education. “Students are the future,” she says. “I believe the teacher should be relentless in helping each child learn, and I give it my all.

“I consider children’s backgrounds – their homes, special abilities, struggles, loves and particular stages of development,” she adds. “Children succeed and feel confident when I see individual differences and handle them accordingly. My classroom is a happy and pleasant place. I am eager to make a difference in students’ lives.”

Today Kraynok earned some well-deserved recognition for “giving her all.” She was one of only 12 teachers statewide to receive a 2007 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal chairman and chief executive officer, made the announcement during a presentation ceremony at the state capitol. He was accompanied by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin; First Lady Gayle Manchin; Arch Coal President and Chief Operating Officer John Eaves; and West Virginia Education Association President Charles Delauder.

“Having an excellent kindergarten teacher is incredibly important,” says Leer. “Sandra Ann Kraynok’s teaching method is very tailored to fit each student’s needs and abilities. What she does for all her students is give them the basis and passion for life-long success.”

Kraynok teaches kindergarten students at Rock Cave Elementary, Rock Cave, W.Va. “My motivation is seeing children make even the smallest leaps in learning,” she notes. “Satisfaction comes from their joyful little faces when they have learned something new.

“The most important things I do for my students are meeting their individual needs and helping them discover their unique talents,” she adds. “I plan according to student level and deliver exciting learning experiences according to learning style. I am there for them.”

Kraynok earned her bachelor’s degree at Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio; a master’s degree at West Virginia University; and PreK-K certification at Glenville State. She continues her development through participation in training programs, workshops, conferences and conventions. Kraynok serves as a mentor to new teachers and as a mentor trainer. She further supports her community through participation in extracurricular education, church and community-enhancement activities, such as Meals-on-Wheels and the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family and Angel Tree Christmas programs.

In addition to recognition, award recipients receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash prize, a distinctive trophy and a classroom plaque. The West Virginia Foundation for the Improvement of Education makes a $1,000 award to each recipient’s school, for use with at-risk students.

The teacher recognition awards are underwritten by the Arch Coal Foundation and supported in program-promotion by the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Education Association and the West Virginia Library Commission. The Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards is the longest running, privately sponsored teacher recognition program in the state. Nominations of the teachers are made by the public, and selection is made by a blue-ribbon panel of the teachers’ peers – previous recipients of the award.

Arch Coal, Inc. is the nation’s second largest coal producer. The company’s core business is providing U.S. power generators with clean-burning, low-sulfur coal for electric generation. Through its national network of mines, Arch supplies the fuel for approximately 6 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Information about each of the 12 recipients is posted on the Arch Coal Web site: www.archcoal.com.