By Tiffany Morgan

EWC Communications

Eastern Wyoming College’s Dr. LeAnn Smith received the 2023/24 Innovative Educator of the Year Award.

She was recognized at the Wyoming Innovative Educator Conference in Casper held Oct. 21. It was presented by Megan Degenfelder, state superintendent of public instruction of the Wyoming Department of Education.
The award is student nominated and it is voted on by the Faculty Senate after they look at each candidate before a final decision is made.
For Smith, it has been an incredible feat and one she said she’s thankful for.
“I put my everything into teaching. [The award] validates my investment and all of the hours outside of the classroom,” Smith said. “It’s a milestone of a process.”
Her hard work does not go unnoticed by students and sophomore student Taylor Fleming is testament to that.
“I’ve learned a lot from Dr. Smith. She has a background in kindergarten [through] high school and was even a principal. She brings in experiences from the outside and it’s nice to see her perspective and I appreciate how she shows us how she educates,” Fleming said. “It’s a pleasure to learn from Smith with someone of her talent in the education field.”
Smith is a teacher that wants to make sure students are learning and obtaining through first-hand experience. With her background, one avenue Smith also succeeded in before her positive impact on EWC was her role as a principal.
She was a principal at Albin Elementary School in Albin, Wyo. for 12 years before coming to Eastern Wyoming College.
At EWC, it’s different for Smith. Her impact is global, with students from all over the United States and many individuals from out of the country.
Smith has also accomplished previous awards on a national level at former institutions such as the National Blue Ribbon School Award, and two National Title I of Distinguished School.
But it’s the people surrounding Smith at EWC that drive her passion for teaching.
“I’m grateful to work with inspiring and motivating faculty, staff, and students. Our EWC team is supportive, and we push each other to expand our thinking and continually grow our skill sets,” Smith said. “The relationships I have built with my current and past students and colleagues motivate me to continue being an innovative educator.”