Teacher near Kennewick recognized by state

  • 2015-03-11
Students at Chiawana High School in Pasco, near Kennewick, can now boast of an ‘outstanding’ teacher.

On Wednesday, March 4, the Secretary of State for Washington, Kim Wyman, was scheduled to visit the high school. Rob Gutierrez, who teaches civics at Chiawana, had his students learn more about the Secretary position and come up with questions to ask Wyman.

Instead, Gutierrez got a bit of a surprise during the ceremony, when he was invited to the stage and presented with a plaque, naming him as an Outstanding Civics Educator. Although Secretary Wyman had to miss the assembly due to illness, the award was given by a member of her staff. States often use professional Stationery printing to produce plaques and certificates.

Upon receiving the recognition, Gutierrez told the assembled students that he was "sincerely tricked”, the Tri-County Herald reported. The state decided to recognize him for his work helping students put together a congressional candidate debate in the fall, and for helping to organize a statewide student mock election.

Although the award was presented to Gutierrez, who has been teaching at Chiawanna High since 2008, it has traditionally been awarded to excellent civics programs across Washington, not to teachers themselves. A spokesperson for the Secretary of State's office stated that Gutierrez was chosen for not only excelling at teaching civics, but also for getting students involved in civic life.
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