Long selected for the WAIC Educator of the Year Award
Neil Long has been selected as the Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC) 2025 Educator of the Year.
Long currently teaches fifth-grade writing and science at Baldwin Creek Elementary School in Lander.
Long began teaching at Baldwin Creek Elementary School in 2023. Recognizing a need for an enriched curriculum incorporating social studies and science with literacy, Long introduced Wyo Wonders.
Students in Long’s fifth-grade class complete the Wyo Wonders Outdoor Recreation and Tourism unit before writing an opinion essay on the importance of responsible stewardship of Wyoming’s land.
In these essays, students demonstrate understanding of the interdependence of Wyoming’s key industries and how the land, wildlife, people and industry all have a part to play in keeping the state vibrant and thriving.
A quote from one student’s essay reads, “It is very important to be a good steward for many reasons. The reasons could be health, education, industry, money, recreation, water quality and future generations. To me, being a good steward of Wyoming land is keeping wildlife and employment up and well.”
Marissa Powell, the instructional facilitator at Baldwin Creek Elementary, remarked, “The incorporation of Wyo Wonders’ curriculum not only captivates and resonates with our students due to Lander’s identity as an outdoor recreational hub, but also provides them with invaluable insights into their local economy.”
“These benefits then extend to the Lander community. However, the Wyo Wonder’s curriculum by itself would not create these benefits. It is because of Long’s passion, enthusiasm and dedication as an educator which allows students to take ownership of their learning and apply it to their lives,” she continues.
As the 2025 Educator of the Year, Long will be awarded a cash prize of $2,500 through WAIC. The award is funded by the Vermillion Ranch, the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and Mantha Phillips.
Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom provides agriculture, energy and mineral and outdoor recreation and tourism curriculum to second- through fifth-grade students. For more information, visit wyaitc.org.
