Wyoming Afterschool Professionals Make a Difference for Children, Families, and Employers

Three Local Leaders Recognized for Commitment and Dedication to the Afterschool Profession

The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance (WYAA) is proud to announce the 2018 inaugural Wyoming Afterschool Professionals Awards. Three local leaders were recognized for their commitment and dedication to the afterschool profession on Tuesday, October 2 during the 10th Annual WYAA State Conference on Afterschool Programs at Little America in Cheyenne.

Director of the Year 2018 was presented to Kathleen Gilgannon with After School for Kids (ASK), Emerging Leader of the Year 2018 was presented to Miranda Blondeel with Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters, and STEM Educator of the Year 2018 was presented to Shanna Kinnick with Crook County School District 1.

The award ceremony was held during a special evening reception to celebrate the work of afterschool in Wyoming where attendees included gubernatorial candidates, Republican candidate Mark Gordon and Democratic candidate Mary Throne.

WYAA Director Linda Barton commented, “Afterschool programs open a new world of opportunities to help young people thrive. Kathleen, Miranda, and Shanna exemplify the work being done in Wyoming where afterschool professionals contribute to locally-driven solutions that help children learn and reach their full potential, families balance work with home, and employers hire the workforce they need.”

More Information About the Awards:

Director of the Year 2018 – Kathleen Gilgannon with After School for Kids (ASK): Creativity, innovation, staff development, and community partnership creation, are just a few of the ways a director or coordinator can make a positive impact through afterschool. This award is for a director or coordinator who is building a legacy in their community. One nomination noted, “Kathleen truly cares about the children in our district and wants to make sure that their needs are being met beyond the school day.  Kathleen knows that it takes different disciplines to make a successful program work.”

Emerging Leader of the Year 2018 – Miranda Blondeel, Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters Elementary Afterschool Programming: Career development for young professionals is a priority for the afterschool profession. This award is for a rising star, 30 years-old or younger, that has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to their program. One nomination noted, “Miranda’s dedication to the kids and families she works with is unmatched.  Miranda also understands the importance of taking care of her team of staff. She emphasizes their strengths and challenges them to always work to improve.”

STEM Educator of the Year 2018 –  Shanna Kinnick, Project Lead the Way Teacher with Crook County School District 1: Science, technology, engineering, and math form a foundation for career development and for economic opportunity in the state of Wyoming and around the world. This award is for an educator who is leading the way in afterschool STEM education. One nomination noted, “Shanna has started a science club that utilized PLTW curriculum. Her students love the program! They have made bicycles and changed variables of tires and gears, grown a garden, and have made mini roller coasters. The student engagement and attendance is high due to the hands on minds-on activities/learning.”

Photo Credit: Micah Richardson, Wyoming Community Foundation Director of Communication

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The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance is a statewide afterschool network working to promote quality, education-based out of school time programs that positively impact youth and families. WYAA is a priority fund of the Wyoming Community Foundation. To learn more visit http://www.wyafterschoolalliance.org