When Rich Hills got the news that he was selected the Garfield Re-2 L.S. Wood Teacher of the Year, he was speechless — a condition that his Cactus Valley fifth-grade students don’t see him in very often.

“It is quite an honor,” he explained after the announcement. “I work with all kinds of great teachers every day, and to be chosen from among them is a great privilege.”

Hills is in his third year at Cactus Valley and 11th as a teacher. He grew up in Fairmount, N.D., and graduated from Mayville State University in Mayville, N.D. He is currently working on his masters in leadership from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minn. In his short time in Garfield Re-2, he has earned the respect of his peers, CVE parents, and of course his students, as evidenced by their eloquent words in their nomination letters.

“Mr. Hills is a wonderful guy. One of the best teachers I have ever had. He is always making jokes while we [are] learning, which makes math fun. Lots of fun,” wrote fifth-grader Molly Mello in her nomination letter.

“Mr. Hills’ positive attitude is inspiring and contagious; simply by using, for example, ‘homefun’ as opposed to ‘homework’ and his P.P.T. (Power of Positive Thinking) mantra, Mr. Hills encourages an upbeat atmosphere in his classroom,” wrote CVE parent Jean Sommers.

The L.S. Wood Teacher of the Year award is in its 24th year, and provides a $4,000 grant for one teacher from both the Garfield Re-2 and Roaring Fork Re-1 school districts. The instructor receives $2,000, and another $2,000 goes to that teacher’s department, team or grade level for purchases designated by the teacher. Selection rolls from elementary to middle to high school. The 2008 award was designated for elementary school teachers. This marks the first year all other nominees receive $500 to honor their work in education.

The competition was strong for the L.S. Wood Teacher of the Year. Other Garfield Re-2 nominees included first-grade teacher Diane Cotner,this year’s nominee from Wamsley Elementary.

“Diane is adept at differentiating instruction to meet the needs of individual learners in her class. … Additionally, the warm and inviting learning environment Mrs. Cotner creates encourages children to persevere and challenge themselves. Her management is efficient so discipline problems are few,” wrote Laura Ellis, in her nomination of Mrs. Cotner.

Fourth-grade teacher Maggie Bruner was this year’s nominee from Highland Elementary.

“Mrs. Bruner possesses the ability to ‘connect’ with not only her own students, but with the entire student body at large. Her contagious level of enthusiasm and encouraging feedback makes her very approachable by students and parents,” wrote former Highland Elementary principal Howard Disney of Bruner.

First-grade teacher Vina Klahn was Kathryn Senor Elementary’s nominee.

“The first time I met Mrs. Klahn, I knew she would be very hard to forget. … As a teacher her caring soul is very much shown and she has enormous patience. … She has always made me feel good as a parent and special as a friend. … I am so thankful that she was part of my kids’ lives and their self-esteem,” wrote community member Claudia Craig.

Nominees and recipients from both Garfield Re-2 and Roaring Fork Re-1 were honored at a presentation banquet on Sunday, March 9, at the Hotel Colorado.
Since 1966, a year after the death of Mid-Continent Coal & Coke owner Leighton S. Wood, the Board of the L.S. Wood Charitable Trust has donated an estimated $12-plus million to facilitate education.

Theresa Hamilton is Re-2 director of districtwide services.