Cedar Crest teacher honored for commitment

Lee Bilderback, a sixth grade teacher at Cedar Crest, knew something was up when he walked into the Cedar Crest gym.

His mom and dad, Barbara and Allen Bilderback, niece, Meagan Bayer and the fifth and sixth grade classes filled the seats of the gymnasium.

“Oh, my mom and dad are here,” he said to Principal Mark Jahn as he was escorted in to the cheering crowd.

The 13-year veteran teacher soon learned he had been chosen as a Peabody Energy Leader in Education for the 2014-15 school year. After some fun antics with the gathered students, representatives with Peabody awarded Bilderback a check for $1,000 for his dedication and commitment to his students.

Bilderback was recognized for his warm heart and gentle nature as well as his ability to inspire discipline in his students. He teaches with a passion to make learning understandable for all his students.

Bilderback was nominated by one of his own sixth grade students. “He (the student) wrote it and gave it to me. I put it in an envelope and sent it. I still don’t know what he said,” he laughed. “Unfortunately, that student couldn’t be here today.”

According to his peers, it is common to walk into Bilderback’s classroom and see the students engaged in activities and meaningful discussions; taking chances, sharing ideas and being productive.

Bilderback is known for being able to use his sense of humor and comedic timing to reach that tough student who rarely participates.

“I enjoy the excitement I get from the kids after they may have struggled with a lesson and then it makes sense to them. When you see that realization in their eyes, it makes you feel good,” Bilderback said today. “It also makes you feel good when some kids says, ‘that nerdy song you taught us on prepositions, I used that on the SAT or the ISTEP’. I still have students that come back and say that.”

The Peabody Energy Leaders in Education program rewards dedicated education professionals—from teachers and coaches to librarians and counselors—who inspire and motivate youth to succeed. Award recipients are selected throughout the school year by a committee of top educators and business leaders.

“We are grateful for the inspiration Lee Bilderback provides to his students, and we applaud his leadership within the school community,” said Greg Boyce, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Peabody Energy. “Mr. Bilderback is to be commended as an individual who excels at his profession, and we are pleased to recognize him as a Peabody Energy Leader in Education.”

The Leaders program was developed in Missouri in 2009, and reflects Peabody’s commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where the company’s employees live and work by honoring those who inspire students.

The 2014- 2015 award program is continuing to accept nominations and is open to educational professionals of public, private and independent schools in designated communities where Peabody Energy employees live and work. Nominations may be made at www.PeabodyEnergyLeadersInEducation.org.

Honorees are selected from a diverse group of educators. They can range from veteran teachers to individuals in support staff roles such as administrators, coaches or counselors. Each 2014-2015 Leader in Education will be honored at an awards gala after this school year, where one will be named Educator of the Year and awarded $5,000.