Alexander and Owen named staff of the year

First grade teacher Niki Alexander and maintenance worker Misty Owen were selected by their coworkers as Big Horn County School District No. 4’s Teacher and Classified Staff of the Year at the end of last school year. 

Owen has worked at Basin schools for about seven years. Her job involves more little details than most people think, and she enjoys it, save for the occasional gross mess. 

“I love the kids, they just make it worth it. They deserve to have a clean building to come to every morning to learn, they shouldn’t have to come to school in filth,” she said. She was surprised by her nomination. 

“I was just doing my job, I guess,” she said. 

Alexander has been teaching first grade in Basin for six years and worked before as a Title I teacher and paraprofessional. 

“I was really proud and I felt very honored that I was chosen by my teammates and coworkers,” she said. 

About a month ago, Alexander was able to travel to Casper for a state Teacher of the Year ceremony. 

“Being selected as district teacher of the year then qualifies you to become part of the Level Up program, where they meet with [Wyoming Department of Education] staff and all the other district teachers of the year, and they network as well as learn how to become advocates for public schools,” Laura Irwin Elementary Principal Katie Seeley explained. 

Selected teachers are also invited to lobby at the state capitol for or against proposed legislation and meet throughout the year to network and share ideas. At the special recognition in Casper, the governor and superintendent of schools are both in attendance.

“It was just a good experience with a good group of people and I was glad I got to go,” Alexander said. 

“I feel hopeful. I do feel as if they have a good cohort of teacher that they’re listening to and working with on trying to make some improvements and reform in education.”