Cheryl Munroe is one of two teachers in Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD#2) to received the Arch Goal Golden Apple Award.

Munroe, a first time recipient, said when she was first nominated she had to fill out a form about her accomplishments.

“I didn’t have time. I was busy with ProStart and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). The students came first,” said Munroe in a recent interview.
It was her students, after seeing the form on her desk, who convinced her to fill it out. “They nagged me until I did it,” Munroe said.

Munroe was nominated in 2007, but didn’t receive any awards that year.

Munroe explained the top 10 chosen receive a cash award and the second 10 are recognized for their work. The award includes all teachers around Wyoming.

Munroe teaches ProStart, Family and Consumers Science, clothing and textile arts. Munroe said that she is certified in biology and general science and so the students who attend the Encampment School can receive a science credit by taking the Family and Consumers Science class.

Munroe said she is also certified to teach Health as well as certified to teach CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and  first aid training. She uses those skills to recertify coaches, bus drivers, daycare and preschool providers and hunting guides as a community service.

Munroe also opens up her classroom to the community one night a week.

Munroe believes in the philosophy “never ask the students to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.”

She could have retired four years ago April, but feels a commitment to her students. Lucas Jarrett, in particular,  had shared a goal of becoming a national FCCLA officer. Jarrett, who is a sophomore, became a district officer this year. Munroe wants to see him through to reach his goal.

Munroe said she treats each of her students as individuals and encourages all of her students to succeed regardless of their ability. “I am an ‘I Can’ teacher rather than an IQ teacher,” Munroe said.

She grades on knowledge. She explained how some students are really intelligent and everything seems to come to them easily. Then there are the students who have to work really hard to succeed – those are the ‘I Can’ students, Munroe said.

Each year, on the first day of school, all of her students start with 100 percent. “In their mind, they all have an A, all they have to do is keep it,” Munroe said. She likes to keep her classroom positive and runs her class like it’s a job. “If they are not there, they don’t get paid (with grades).

Munroe works with the high school students who mentor elementary students in her Child Development class. The high school students who have difficulty reading will work with young children who also have reading difficulties and she has seen them benefit each other.

Munroe shared that Jenissa Treat, who graduated last spring, was one of her students in Child Development and plans to major in Elementary Education in college. During her senior year, Treat helped Encampment teacher Cathy Lynch. The cooperating teacher gives the grade, said Munroe. “Cathy gave Jenissa 100 percent and Cathy doesn’t grade easy.”

“I don’t teach students what to think, but how to think,” said Munroe.

Munroe said she encourages her students to do things differently and be creative. “It doesn’t always have to be done the same way,” said Munroe.

Munroe students refer to her as Miss Moe or just Moe. “Lots of teachers have nicknames,” said Munroe.

Munroe refers to herself as Mother Moe. She thinks of all the kids as her own and the students are aware of that. When “Moe” talks about her kids she has to clarify as to whether she is talking about her biological kids or her students.

Munroe will begin her 38th year teaching today as school begins in the Valley. Nine years were on the Indian reservation at Ft. Washakie and this is Munroe’s 29th year at CCSD#2.

Munroe said she is not sure when she will retire. “I would have to stay home with Montie,” she laughed, and she enjoys working with a different batch of kids every 53 minutes.

So, for now, “Miss Moe” will continue to teach and maybe next year get into the top 10 for the Arch Coal Golden Apple Award.