Elementary school teacher Alexis Barney has been named Wyoming’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Cowboy State Daily.

I love to share stories about talented and hardworking educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Alexis Barney, an elementary school teacher from Wyoming who has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Alexis was raised in Saratoga, Wyoming, As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming, Casper, in 2016. The same year, she earned her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Capella University.

Currently, Alexis teaches fourth and fifth grade at Evansville Elementary in Evansville. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Alexis serves as the English Language Arts goal team leader and on the school leadership team. She also is the School Transformation team leader, the Lego Robotics coach, and Reading Club coordinator. And as if all this were not enough, Alexis has frequently presented reading strategies at teaching conferences around the state and in Colorado.

The honored educator says her teaching philosophy is grounded in empowering students to be kind and courageous, and in creating lifelong learners who are inquisitive and excited about the world around them. She wants her students to find success, no matter their circumstances. “Our attitude is going to be infectious,” Alexis asserts. “I want to empower people to see things in a different light, helping them to find resources, and really turn those ‘can’ts’ into ‘cans.'”

For her untiring work as an educator, Alexis has earned the respect and praise of her colleagues. “Alexis is without a doubt one of the finest educators I have worked with in my nearly three decades in education,” praised Wayne Tuttle, Principal of Evansville Elementary School. “Students thrive in Alexis’ class because of her high expectations, innovative engagement strategies, and relevant learning,” he continued. “When a principal looks for an educator to be an anchor of their school for decades to come, they are searching for someone of Alexis’ quality,” he concluded.

To read more about Alexis Barney, see this article published by the Wyoming Department of Education.