Dorman one of 50 in country to receive award

WARDEN — The town of Warden has a rare gem hidden in the walls of its high school. That gem is Angie Dorman.

Dorman, a history teacher at Warden High School, is one of just 50 teachers to receive a U.S. Department of Education American Star of Teaching award. She was presented the award at a surprise assembly on Friday in front of students and staff.

Cindi Williams from the Department of Education flew in from Washington D.C. to hand her the award. Dorman is the only teacher in the state of Washington to be recognized. Williams said there were 4,000 applications this year throughout the country.

Executive Director of Northwest Professional Educators Cindy Omlin nominated Dorman for the award.

"She is a selfless teacher who opens the windows of her students' and their parents' imaginations to envision brighter futures," Omlin said at the assembly.

Omlin credited Dorman with assisting students in finding money to attend college. In three years, Dorman helped students secure nearly $1 million for college tuitions, she said.

Dorman originally began her career helping inner-city students in South Carolina and continues to help underprivileged children succeed in life.

"She has earned our respect, admiration and gratitude," Omlin said.

Dorman said she was surprised by the announcement. Everyone apparently kept it secret from her, even her husband and children. They sat in the audience as she was handed the award.

"What I know about Warden is, you can do anything that you want to do," she said after accepting the award.

Dorman said she felt humbled by the award. Warden has the best group of teachers she has worked with in her 15 years of teaching, she said.