Boettcher Named 2025 Curriculum Director of the Year for Wyoming

Ryan Boettcher, Curriculum Director for Big Horn County School District No. 1, was nominated by his peers and awarded Curriculum Director of the Year by the Wyoming Curriculum Directors Association at their Spring Conference May 5-6 in Casper. Boettcher noted, “It’s pretty flattering to be recognized by your peers.” 

The president of the organization contacted Camaren, Ryan’s wife, ahead of time so she could be present at the awards dinner. As the president announced Ryan’s name and he came to the podium, he saw his wife in the back, which made receiving the award extra special. As well as receiving the award, Boettcher was also handed the gavel. He has been the president-elect and will now be the president of the association for the next three years.

Ryan’s goals for the association include growing the organization so that they have a voice in the state. He felt that having included the elementary and secondary principals, as well as special education directors, in their Fall Conference was very successful. Everyone was more connected and shared resources with each other, and he would like to see this continue.

During his tenure as curriculum director, he has seen the State Department of Education recognize the need to reduce the number of standards to a more reasonable number and find the “big rock” standards. He felt that there has been, and will continue to be, a 60% reduction of standards in all instructional areas. He is pleased that teachers from the district have been involved in this process.

When asked what he would like people to know about his job, he was quick to answer, “Curriculum is just a sliver of what I do. Lots of things need to be done in a small district, and I try to do them.” He listed several of the items as curriculum, grants, instruction, accreditation, Title IX and McKinney Vento (homeless students), to name a few. Ryan also reported that District One is working with the University of Wyoming to bring a Project Based Learning teaching method to deliver their curriculum. He believes this will give teachers more freedom and students more opportunities.

Ryan concluded with, “Belonging to the Curriculum Directors Association has helped me grow as an educator. I encourage all staff to be involved with their organizations and statewide projects.”