Lyon Terry, the 2015 Washington State Teacher of the Year, was honored by the Washington State Senate with a resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell , Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, and other senators.

“Lyon’s passion for education is so very apparent and I continue to be struck by how dedicated he is to his students,” said Kohl-Welles. “As having been a fourth grade teacher myself after graduating from college, I can particularly relate to the significance of Lyon’s achievement. I’m very fortunate to have known Mr. Terry for a few years; he’s a dedicated educator who motivates his students by addressing their needs and making every class moment memorable.”

A National Board Certified Teacher, Terry teaches a multi-age classroom at Lawton Elementary in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle in the 36th Leg. District. Since Terry started at Lawton, his fourth graders have seen their writing proficiency rates raise by more than 10 percentage points.

“What I think Terry is doing that is so important is that he teaches kindness and makes sure that kindness is a part of his curriculum,” said McAuliffe. “Terry is a compassionate educator who fosters a learning environment where his students can grow into smart and caring adults.”

“Lyon is also a very warm, compassionate and engaging human being with a wonderful sense of humor,” added Kohl-Welles. “It is clear to me why his students adore him so much.”