Richfield, Utah – Lori Ware Labrum believes the most important lesson she leaves with her students is to enjoy learning, because learning is for a lifetime. “It does not matter if a student values learning about the past, present, future, literature, science or any other discipline, all students need skills and knowledge to search out their interests,” says the 26-year teaching veteran.
“As a teacher in the 21st century, I need to guide students in new ways of accessing available information to increase their learning,” she adds. “With new technology so readily available, this is certainly an exciting time for a teacher.”
Today Labrum met with more excitement. She became one of only five Utah teachers to receive a 2011 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. Arch Coal Senior Vice President Paul Lang made the announcement at Ashman Elementary School. He was accompanied by State School Board Member Dixie Allen and Utah Education Association Vice President Tom Nedreberg. This is the fifth year the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards have been made in Utah.
“Lori Ware Labrum’s goal is to help her students become lifelong learners, to use available technology to enrich knowledge in their areas of interest and to broaden their interests,” says Lang. “She wants them to see there is a big world out there and help them find ways to improve their own parts of that world.”
An Orangeville resident, Labrum teaches third-grade students at Cottonwood Elementary School, Orangeville. “My philosophy of teaching comes from many years of experience and is continually being refined,” she notes. “As the years go by, I have seen children’s abilities and desires to learn change, requiring a change in me as well.
“I know that students will rise to the expectations that are set for them,” she adds. “I expect my students to always achieve, and together we work for the goal. I do not accept the word вЂtry,’ because it allows an excuse for not accomplishing a goal. In my classroom, our motto is, вЂI will do it.’ We don’t just try; we do it. We do our best each day, and tomorrow our best will be better.”
Labrum earned a bachelor’s degree at Weber State College, Ogden, and a master’s degree at Southern Utah University, Cedar City. A past Arch Coal Golden Apple Achiever recipient, she has achieved reading and math endorsements and uses every opportunity to keep current on teaching styles, new curriculum, classroom management and other aspects of education through college classes, workshops and seminars, as well as her extensive library of professional books, journals, periodicals and the Internet. Labrum further supports her community by helping older residents. She also has volunteered for a range of community sports, civic and church activities.
The Arch Coal Foundation’s teacher recognition program is available to classroom teachers in Carbon, Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties. The counties surround the Skyline, Dugout Canyon and Sufco mines operated by Canyon Fuel Company, a subsidiary of major U.S. coal producer Arch Coal, Inc. Each recipient receives a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a $3,500 personal, cash award.
Partners for the program include the Office of the Governor, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Education Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, Carbon County School District, Emery County School District, Sevier County School District, North Sanpete School District, South Sanpete School District, Far West Bank, Market Express, radio stations KMTI, KLGL, KMGR, KSVC, KCYQ, KOAL, KARB, KRPX, and both TacoTime and Bookcliff Sales in Price.
Arch’s Canyon Fuel Company is Utah’s largest coal producer and a large, state employer, with a workforce of more than 800. U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is one of the world’s largest and most efficient coal producers, with more than 160 million tons of coal sold in 2010. Arch’s national network of mines supplies cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal to customers on four continents, including U.S. and international power producers and steel manufacturers.
Information about each of the five current recipients, as well as past recipients, is posted at archteacherawards.com.