Squalicum, Lynden Christian teachers win $5,000 awards
Whatcom County teachers Riley Liddle and Dave Tjoelker received Educator of the Year Awards and $5,000 prizes May 15 from the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award Program.
Liddle, a career and technical education teacher the last eight years at Squalicum High School in Bellingham, was presented the public-school teacher award in a ceremony at Jansen Art Center in Lynden. He received multiple nominations from students and staff members. One said that Liddle is “a truly exceptional educator whose dedication and passion for robotics have profoundly impacted his students and the broader educational community.”
Liddle and four other finalists from Whatcom County public K-12 schools were honored during the program. The other finalists were: Cynthia Clark, Blaine Primary School; Megan Cooley, Silver Beach Elementary School (Bellingham); Natalie Eining, Irene Reither Elementary School (Meridian); and Angel Lammie, Irene Reither Elementary School (Meridian).
Tjoelker, the winner among private-school nominees, now teaches at Lynden Christian High School after a long stint at Lynden Christian Middle School. “He is a teacher who fully invests in his students not only academically but finding out who they are personally and meeting them where their needs are,” a nominating parent said. “He is one to push the kids to really think about their choices.”
The other K-12 private-school finalists were: Rachel Bootsma, Lynden Christian Elementary School; Dan Kaemingk, Lynden Christian Middle School; and Emily Kooistra, Lynden Christian Elementary School.
“Excellence and education are so important to us,” said Alex Bogaard, president of the Seattle and Lynden offices of Brown & Brown Insurance Services. “We’re grateful for all of the dedicated teachers in our community and congratulations to the finalists for the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Awards.”
Teachers were nominated for the award by students, parents and school staff members. A local judging panel selected Liddle and Tjoelker.
“All of the finalists demonstrate a drive for excellence with compassion for their students,” said Paul Kenner of Brown & Brown’s Lynden office. “We thank these teachers for their amazing contributions to education in our communities.”
Nominations for the third-annual Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Awards are now being accepted. More information may be found at https://bbrownexcellenceineducation.org.
Brown & Brown’s Lynden office at 501 Front St., Lynden, is open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, please call (360) 354-4488.
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