2012 Educator of the Year

“I commend Wildlife Forever for its grassroots conservation projects. Preservation of habitats and maintenance of fish and wildlife populations could not be accomplished without research and education of the populace.” – Dr. Helen Loughner

Dr. Helen Loughner,

Chemistry Teacher | Penn-Trafford High School | Harrison City, Pennsylvania

A Minnesota-based national conservation organization has named a Pennsylvania high-school chemistry teacher its 2012 Educator of the Year in recognition of her significant contribution to youth conservation education.

On behalf of Wildlife Forever, on October 2 the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission presented the award to Dr. Helen Loughner, a chemistry teacher for 34 years at Penn-Trafford High School in Harrison City, Pennsylvania. “Dr. Lougher is a regular participant in the State-Fish Art Contest,” said Douglas H. Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. “We were so surprised to learn she was not an art teacher given the large numbers of entries from her students over the years, 57 in 2012 alone!”

“I commend Wildlife Forever for its grassroots conservation projects. Preservation of habitats and maintenance of fish and wildlife populations could not be accomplished without research and education of the populace.” remarked Dr. Loughner. “I actually relate the essay the students write about the fish and its habitat to their state science assessment. Of course the boys in particular like it because they enjoy fishing and the girls love to do the art work!”

She joins past winners of the Educator of the Year Award, Zoe Ann Stinchcomb, 2008 from Texas; Dawn Cook, 2009 from Arkansas, Michelle Daberkow, 2010 from Nebraska and Lila Jenkins 2011 from Missouri.