CHARLESTON, W.VA. (March 1, 2006) – Twelve outstanding classroom teachers in West Virginia today received coveted Arch Coal, Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards.

The 12 teachers are:

"We are proud to honor these teachers who do so much for the children of West Virginia," said Steven F. Leer, Arch Coal's president and chief executive officer. "Teaching excellence keeps our children and our country competitive locally and globally."

"Arch Coal's success is created by the talented people who work for the company, from the coalfield to the boardroom – and I'm sure that exceptional teachers influenced every one of them," said Leer. "There is no more important job in America than that of a teacher."

"The key to the success of West Virginia's education community is the thousands of teachers and educational professionals who provide outstanding leadership in the classroom," the governor said. "The Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards recognize the highest level of achievement among educators who are truly committed to their craft. These individuals have mentored and inspired young students, encouraging our youngest generations to excel in the classroom and reach for their dreams."

"As a former teacher myself, I understand the commitment and dedication required of educators both in and out of the classroom. The individuals we honor today truly have displayed an unselfish and unwavering commitment to their profession. Through their efforts, they truly better the lives of West Virginia's children each and every day," said First Lady Gayle Manchin. "The Governor and I both applaud the support and partnership of Arch Coal in recognizing our state's outstanding educators."

"The promise of a brighter future for West Virginia begins in the classroom. With gifted people educating our children, that future looks very bright indeed," said Kay Goodwin, secretary of arts and education for the state.

"The Board of Education and the Department of Education are very proud of the Arch Coal Teacher Award recipients. They represent a pool of talented, dedicated, and professional West Virginia educators," said Deputy State Superintendent Jack McClanahan. "Good teachers, like the ones receiving the Arch Award, will help students make meaningful connections with the skill and content they need in order to be successful in the 21st century."

"The West Virginia Education Association (WVEA) and its foundation, the West Virginia Foundation for the Improvement of Education (WVFIE), are pleased to be partners with Arch Coal as it recognizes some of the fine teachers that work throughout our state," stated WVEA President Charles Delauder. "Teachers are rarely honored for the hard work and long hours they put into providing a high quality education for the students of our state. These teachers exemplify the spirit and dedication of thousands of their peers throughout the state."

"The teacher achievement awards program is an important means for Arch Coal to say thank you to our state's best classroom teachers," said John R. Snider, vice president of Arch Coal's eastern external affairs. "Our teacher recognition program is the longest-running, privately sponsored program of its type in the state. The judging was exceptionally close again this year, and it was rewarding to see through the judging process just how many excellent teachers work here in West Virginia."

In addition to recognition, award recipients receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash prize, a distinctive trophy and a classroom plaque. WVFIE, a foundation operated by WVEA, makes a $1,000 award to each recipient's school, for use with at-risk students. Since its establishment in 1993, WVFIE has awarded more than $167,000 to assist educators.

Arch Coal is supported by the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Education Association and the West Virginia Library Commission in program promotion. Arch Coal's Teacher Achievement Awards is the longest running, privately sponsored teacher recognition program in the state. Almost 450 nominations of the teachers were made by the public this school year.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Information about each of the 12 recipients is posted on the Arch Coal Web site: www.archcoal.com.