Two honored for work in education

WORLAND – Two Worland educators, Don Bryant and James Mims, were honored with awards from the Wyoming Education Association at the end of March for the 2019-20 school year.

According to WEA Worland area President Vickie Overcast, Bryant was set to receive the Friend of Education award from the state association at the end of March. This award was for his service as a teacher at West Side for two years, and spending the last 28 years on the school board, serving 23 of those as the president of the school board, a position he currently holds.

"I was very honored to have received this award," Bryant said.

Bryant has been involved in the school system for Worland as long as Overcast can remember. She said he has been instrumental in bringing new athletic programs to Worland such as soccer, along with women's softball starting next year. He has also been instrumental in the creation of the district's attendance policy which has garnered statewide attention, as well as the implementation of reading recovery programs and even helping announce during football games.

"Don has been such an important part of our district and our community," Overcast said.

Mims received the Education Support Personnel of the year, and according to Overcast, Mims has been an influential figure at the high school for the greater part of a decade. Mims is currently a para-educator in the special education department of the high school.

"Whenever possible I urge students to attempt or finish work because there is a kind of growth and pride that comes from the attempt as well as the success," Mims said.

When recommendations were asked for the recommendation of Mims and Bryant, Mims was described as "one of the finest educators that he has ever known," and a life-long learner.

"I didn't count on the eloquence of the folks who wrote letters in support of my nomination," Mims said.

Overcast said she was honored to nominate two members of the district for awards because they have been people she has looked up to, and so proud that they received the awards since Worland has not won any WEA awards in a long time.

An awards banquet was scheduled the end of March in Casper, but due to coronavirus it was canceled. The awards are being sent to Overcast.