With origins dating back to 1981, Women’s History Month is a chance to celebrate and recognize the achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields, according to the Women’s History Month website.

Throughout the month of March, the Northern Wyoming News will be featuring a different woman each week who makes history within our communities with their positive impacts and achievements.

ANNIE GRIFFIN

From her earliest memories of playing ‘school’ with her neighbor, to babysitting and spending time with kids, Annie Griffin said she first became interested in becoming a teacher in third grade and never stopped pursuing it. After growing up in Glenrock, and developing an appreciation for the Wyoming public education system, Griffin is now the Washakie County School District No. 2 superintendent.

Griffin’s passion to be a teacher led her to a degree in elementary teaching from Black Hills State University and eventually her master’s degree in teaching reading for grades kindergarten through 12. Griffin noted that she also completed a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade administrative endorsement and a superintendency endorsement.

Before taking the position of superintendent at Ten Sleep School in 2022, Griffin said she was principal of Tongue River Elementary School in Ranchester from 2017 to 2022.

“I loved being a teacher and was for 18 years,” said Griffin. “I enjoy seeing the light come on for students and find that if they are loved and feel valued, the sky is the limit for them.”

While Griffin said she didn’t plan on becoming an administrator until she was encouraged to do so, she has enjoyed her time as one. “It is fun to see teachers succeed because of the great work they are doing. I love watching kids and adults grow and become better at what they are doing. I hold people and our students to a high standard and am never surprised when they reach it. It is all about helping them believe in themselves!”

During her time as superintendent at Ten Sleep School, Griffin has started, “Superintendent Griffin’s Literacy Project.” According to Griffin, a new book is read to preschool through sixth grade students by Griffin each month. Then, all preschool students receive a copy of the book, as well as 20 randomly selected elementary students.

Outside of her work, Griffin said family is a high priority for her.

When asked to talk about an accomplishment in her life that she is proud of, Griffin said, “I am proud of the mother I am to my girls and remember that it will not say ‘great superintendent’ on my headstone. It is far more important that it says great wife, mother, sister and daughter, which reminds me to not be a workaholic. I want to leave a lasting legacy of love for them. They are honestly my greatest accomplishment.”

Griffin said that when her twin daughters reached the age of starting school, she and her husband, Robert, moved from Colorado back to Wyoming so their daughters could receive the same Wyoming public education opportunities that they did.

Boating and golfing are some of her favorite activities to do with her family, she said.

Her passion for her family comes from mothers before her. “I truly look up to two women: my mom Amy and my mother-in-law Pat. Both of them have taught me to put your family first. To fiercely love them but teach them to be morally bound. They have taught me to laugh and not take all that comes at me too seriously. They have also taught me to remember that kindness and generosity go a long way.”