WCSD No. 1’s Tysdal honored

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
After nearly 10 years serving as Weston County School District No. 1’s curriculum director, Sonya Tysdal has been named 2021 Wyoming Curriculum Director of the Year by the Wyoming Curriculum Directors Association. 
A part of the district for 16 years, Tysdal has taken on quite a complex role, according to Superintendent Brad LaCroix. Tysdal spends time working on the district’s curriculum, instruction, staff development and in several other areas. 
“I think what makes her considerably different than those with those responsibilities is she has been through a lot of different committee work and critical conversations,” LaCroix said, specifically mentioning the current discussion involving the profile of a Wyoming graduate. 
“What Sonya does is a little bit different for us. She takes that information and breaks it down so people like Brad LaCroix can understand it,” he continued. “She is also included in the day-to-day working processes in the district and how it affects students and staff.” 
When speaking to Tysdal about this recognition of her work, she told the News Letter Journal that she was shocked when she learned she was receiving the award. 
“I was not expecting it at all. Every time you go to a meeting and hear what other districts are doing, the ideas that are going on …, I always say I thought we were doing well, but there are exciting things going on in every district,” she said. “Not in a million years did I think my name would be on there.” 
According to Tysdal, every year the association comes together to recognize a curriculum direction that its members feel should be recognized. Those individuals are nominated and then chosen by a group within the committee. 
“It is always exciting to see all of those people get recognized. I was the winner this year, and that was pretty cool,” Tysdal said. 
As for the committee, she said, she is very thankful to have a group of individuals to reach out to for ideas and information. 
“We are always responding to anyone in the group that calls out and says they need information or what do you know about this. Everyone helps each other out,” Tysdal said, noting that the group stays busy and active through committees and various activities. 
LaCroix said that the district is proud to have someone like Tysdal in that role and that she deserved the recognition. 
“When it comes back to Sonya, she is pretty down to earth and very consistent. I think that really helps. She is not afraid to tell you she doesn’t know something but that she will continue to work to figure it out,” he said. “She just brings a real uniqueness to that position.” 
LaCroix credited Tysdal for putting in a lot of work fulfilling a role that isn’t highly visible. He noted that a lot of burden falls into her lap and that she always finds a way to make it work.