27-05-2025
Whatcom County teachers receive educational excellence award, $5k prize
Two Whatcom County teachers were recognized this month for their commitment to education and their students.
The Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award Program honored Squalicum High School teacher Riley Liddle and Lynden Christian High School teacher Dave Tjoelker with Educator of the Year awards and $5,000 prizes.
The goal of the award program is to 'recognize the critical role educators play in our state's public & private schools,' according to Brown & Brown's website.
Students, parents and school staff members nominated teachers for the award. A local judging panel selected Liddle and Tjoelker.
'Excellence and education are so important to us,' said Alex Bogaard, president of the Seattle and Lynden offices of Brown & Brown Insurance Services. 'We're grateful for all of the dedicated teachers in our community and congratulations to the finalists for the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Awards.'
Liddle has worked as a career and technical education teacher for the last eight years at Squalicum High School in Bellingham. He received multiple nominations from students and staff members.
Liddle was recognized as a finalist for the same award last year.
Liddle is 'a truly exceptional educator whose dedication and passion for robotics have profoundly impacted his students and the broader educational community,' one nomination said.
Tjoelker teaches at Lynden Christian High School after a significant time teaching at Lynden Christian Middle School.
'He is a teacher who fully invests in his students not only academically but finding out who they are personally and meeting them where their needs are,' one nominating parent said. 'He is one to push the kids to really think about their choices.'
Four other finalists from Whatcom County public schools were honored this year, including:
▪ Cynthia Clark, Blaine Primary School.
▪ Megan Cooley, Silver Beach Elementary School (Bellingham).
▪ Natalie Eining, Irene Reither Elementary School (Meridian).
▪ Angel Lammie, Irene Reither Elementary School (Meridian).
The other private-school finalists included:
▪ Rachel Bootsma, Lynden Christian Elementary School.
▪ Dan Kaemingk, Lynden Christian Middle School.
▪ Emily Kooistra, Lynden Christian Elementary School.
'All of the finalists demonstrate a drive for excellence with compassion for their students,' said Paul Kenner of Brown & Brown's Lynden office. 'We thank these teachers for their amazing contributions to education in our communities.'
Nominations for the third-annual Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Awards are now being accepted.
Brown & Brown, Inc. is an insurance brokerage firm. The firm's Lynden office at 501 Front St. is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
