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Natrona County names Pine View teacher Zachary Lay district Teacher of the Year
Summary
The Natrona County School District recognized Pine View Elementary fifth‑grade teacher Zachary Lay as the district's 2025 Teacher of the Year, honoring his classroom work, mentorship and community programs.
Natrona County School District #1 announced Zachary Lay of Pine View Elementary as its 2025 Teacher of the Year during the board's public meeting.
Principal Chris Britt introduced Lay to the Board of Trustees, saying Lay has been at Pine View for 11 years, including one year as a tutor and 10 years as a fifth‑grade teacher. "He's a dynamic leader, a dedicated mentor, [and] a passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive education," Britt said. She credited him as "the cornerstone of our school" and noted his roles on the math goal team, the school improvement team and the root cause analysis team.
In accepting the honor, Lay said teaching is a collective effort. "No one of us ever does this work alone," he told trustees and attendees, thanking colleagues, family and students. Lay described his classroom and mentorship work, including a weekly peer mentorship group for fourth‑ and fifth‑grade boys and regular open classroom observations for colleagues.
Britt and others emphasized Lay's focus on social and emotional supports as well as academics. Britt said the teacher leads classroom celebrations and mentors adults in the school, and she called him "one of the most impactful teachers I have ever had in my 20 years as a principal." Several trustees offered congratulations during trustee comments.
The board did not take a separate vote on the recognition; the presentation and the teacher's remarks were part of the meeting's recognition and celebrations segment. The district listed the teacher as its nominee to represent Natrona County at the state level for Wyoming Teacher of the Year consideration.
The district identified Lay's classroom initiatives and mentorship activities as part of his nomination materials; details reported during the meeting included his 11 years at Pine View, weekly mentoring meetings for boys without fathers present, and leadership roles on school improvement teams.
The board meeting continued with public comment, routine business and reports after the presentation.
