GUERNSEY—It’s no surprise to anyone who’s had children in the Platte County School District #2 to hear there are quality teachers in the school.  But when an outside source validates that with some very prestigious awards, it’s something that should be recognized by students and the community.

Over the past several years, Guernsey-Sunrise has seen several of their own educators honored for their outstanding work with students and some of the activities and service projects in which they’ve been involved.

This past June, Guernsey-Sunrise Family and Consumer Science instructor Val Mills got a big surprise while attending the state conference for the Wyoming Association of Career and Technical Education.  Nominated by Michelle Aldrich, Val found out that she had been selected as the 2018 WACTE Teacher of the Year.  Val will now be considered for the Region 5 Teacher of the Year that will be announced at the regional conference in Bozeman, MT later this year.  That winner moves on to compete at the national level. 

The competitors are judged on their work with students in the classroom and extra-curricular activities, their participation at the state level including offices held.  Val served as the Wyoming President of FCCS during the 15-16 school year.  Over her 15 years at Guernsey-Sunrise, she has built the culinary program from the ground up and has sponsored many unique activities for her students.   Iron Chef cook-offs with student teams utilizing community members as judges; had students fix dinners then shared with the public; sponsored Valentine cookies; had students make blankets for residents of the VA hospital in Cheyenne; as well as many other projects.  Several of her former students have moved on to attend culinary schools after high school graduation thanks to the strong background and education they received in high school. 

Val is married and she and husband Gordie have six children between them.