Six Whatcom County Public School Teachers have been Named Finalists for a New Award Honoring Excellence in Education.
May 09, 2024
The Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award Program will honor all six finalists and present $5,000 to the winning teacher during an ice cream social from 4-6 p.m. May 22 at Jansen Art Center, 323 Front St., Lynden. The presentation will start at 5 p.m. and the public is invited.
The finalists are: Jodi Hammond, Nooksack Elementary School; Bria Henthorn, Lynden High School; Susan Kelley, Kendall Elementary School; Riley Liddle, Squalicum High School; Meagan Shelley, Bernice Vossbeck Elementary School; and Katie Tully, Happy Valley Elementary School. Nominations by the public were accepted for more than three months earlier this year.
“This award enables students, parents and the public to give gratitude and support for deserving Whatcom County public school teachers,” said Paul Kenner, who has been with Brown & Brown’s Lynden office for 48 of its 98 years.
“Brown & Brown wants to help ensure that Whatcom County students and educators will have generations of empowerment and support in building the future of our community.”
Hammond has served as a fourth-grade teacher the last six years at Nooksack Elementary in Everson. “If I could have Mrs. Hammond as my son‘s teacher for every year of his elementary school career, I would do it in a heartbeat,” a nominating parent said. “She is the most shining example of what a difference a teacher can make in a child’s life, in a family’s life.”
Henthorn has taught agriculture the last two years at Lynden High. In addition to teaching classes, she is the school’s FFA advisor for more than 100 students, coaches four teams for agricultural competitions and is an assistant coach for the school’s trap-shooting team. “Her leadership and collaborative spirit have not only enriched the educational experience for students but have also inspired her collogues and earned the respect and admiration of the entire faculty,” a fellow staff member said in a nomination.
Kelley has been teaching 40 years with the last 10 years at Kendall Elementary in the Mount Baker School District. She is a driving force in behind the Kendall Science Fair, where students do science projects and document them for presentation in the fair. Kelley also has led students in raising salmon eggs, butterfly larvae and a hamster, increasing their interest in science. “Mrs. Kelley is excited about science, and her students catch that excitement!” said a nominating parent.
Liddle is a career and technical education teacher at Squalicum High, where he’s been seven years, in the Bellingham School District. He also is the school’s robotics coach, spending many hours after school and on weekends to support students. “Through these extra efforts, Mr. Liddle fosters strong relationships with students, earning our trust and respect,” a student said in their nomination.
Shelley is a three-year special education teacher finishing her first year with transitional kindergarten students at Vossbeck Elementary in the Lynden School District. “Miss Meagan’s patience and understanding foster a safe and supportive learning environment,” a parent said in one of her nominations. “The dedication to each student's success is truly inspiring!”
Tully teaches music to students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Happy Valley Elementary in the Bellingham School District, where she’s been 16 of her 17 years as a teacher. Tully leads each grade level in presenting a concert or mini-musical performance for parents. Every other year she produces and directs a full-scale musical involving students in grades 3-5. She also offers choir and advanced drum ensemble as after-school activities. “Our students are so incredibly fortunate to be provided all these musical experiences and explorations,” a nominating parent said.
More information about the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award 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.
About Us
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, delivering risk management solutions to individuals and businesses since 1939. With 16,000+ teammates in approximately 500 locations worldwide, we are committed to providing innovative strategies to help protect what our customers value most. For more information or to find an office near you, please visit bbrown.com.
The finalists are: Jodi Hammond, Nooksack Elementary School; Bria Henthorn, Lynden High School; Susan Kelley, Kendall Elementary School; Riley Liddle, Squalicum High School; Meagan Shelley, Bernice Vossbeck Elementary School; and Katie Tully, Happy Valley Elementary School. Nominations by the public were accepted for more than three months earlier this year.
“This award enables students, parents and the public to give gratitude and support for deserving Whatcom County public school teachers,” said Paul Kenner, who has been with Brown & Brown’s Lynden office for 48 of its 98 years.
“Brown & Brown wants to help ensure that Whatcom County students and educators will have generations of empowerment and support in building the future of our community.”
Hammond has served as a fourth-grade teacher the last six years at Nooksack Elementary in Everson. “If I could have Mrs. Hammond as my son‘s teacher for every year of his elementary school career, I would do it in a heartbeat,” a nominating parent said. “She is the most shining example of what a difference a teacher can make in a child’s life, in a family’s life.”
Henthorn has taught agriculture the last two years at Lynden High. In addition to teaching classes, she is the school’s FFA advisor for more than 100 students, coaches four teams for agricultural competitions and is an assistant coach for the school’s trap-shooting team. “Her leadership and collaborative spirit have not only enriched the educational experience for students but have also inspired her collogues and earned the respect and admiration of the entire faculty,” a fellow staff member said in a nomination.
Kelley has been teaching 40 years with the last 10 years at Kendall Elementary in the Mount Baker School District. She is a driving force in behind the Kendall Science Fair, where students do science projects and document them for presentation in the fair. Kelley also has led students in raising salmon eggs, butterfly larvae and a hamster, increasing their interest in science. “Mrs. Kelley is excited about science, and her students catch that excitement!” said a nominating parent.
Liddle is a career and technical education teacher at Squalicum High, where he’s been seven years, in the Bellingham School District. He also is the school’s robotics coach, spending many hours after school and on weekends to support students. “Through these extra efforts, Mr. Liddle fosters strong relationships with students, earning our trust and respect,” a student said in their nomination.
Shelley is a three-year special education teacher finishing her first year with transitional kindergarten students at Vossbeck Elementary in the Lynden School District. “Miss Meagan’s patience and understanding foster a safe and supportive learning environment,” a parent said in one of her nominations. “The dedication to each student's success is truly inspiring!”
Tully teaches music to students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Happy Valley Elementary in the Bellingham School District, where she’s been 16 of her 17 years as a teacher. Tully leads each grade level in presenting a concert or mini-musical performance for parents. Every other year she produces and directs a full-scale musical involving students in grades 3-5. She also offers choir and advanced drum ensemble as after-school activities. “Our students are so incredibly fortunate to be provided all these musical experiences and explorations,” a nominating parent said.
More information about the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award 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.
About Us
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, delivering risk management solutions to individuals and businesses since 1939. With 16,000+ teammates in approximately 500 locations worldwide, we are committed to providing innovative strategies to help protect what our customers value most. For more information or to find an office near you, please visit bbrown.com.
