Board selects WHS instructor Rick Dorn as 2024 Master Teacher

During the May 20 meeting of the Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees, the Master Teacher Award was presented to Rick Dorn, a social studies teacher at Worland High School.

The Master Teacher Award is given annually by the board to a teacher in Worland's school district who goes above and beyond their duties as a teacher, making the extra effort to connect to their students.

Dorn was selected by the board because, "His dedication to students is unmatched. He has left an indelible mark on our school community," said Chairman David Tommerup.

A former student of Dorn's wrote a testimony that was read during the announcement, saying, "It is obvious that this teacher enjoys his job and cares deeply for his students. There is no doubt in my mind that he deserves this award."

Dorn said in an interview later, "It was a very nice surprise, and it was very gratifying to hear that. I wasn't sure they were talking about me until someone slipped up and said 'his', and I was thinking that I was the only male teacher in the room."

He's often recognized in the community for his leadership in Worland High School's drama and speech and debate programs, and he joked, "The last time I got an award as a teacher, it was a student-elected award I won my second month of my teaching career for 'Favorite Teacher'. That was about 30 years ago."

"Normally if I get an award, it's for extracurriculars, so it's really cool to get something that's for my day job," he added.