Wright, Wyo. (July 19, 2005) – Wyoming's libraries will become a partner in the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards program in the coming school year, Arch Coal Vice President Greg Schaefer announced today.

"Arch Coal is delighted to have the Wyoming library community join it in recognizing the state's top classroom teachers," said Schaefer. "We count on libraries across the state as important tools in the learning process, as well as being repositories of information. Now, they'll also be a part of our program that asks the public to tell us who it believes are our best teachers."

"Teachers have long been 'partners' with libraries," said State Librarian Lesley Boughton. "We are pleased to be a part of this program."

Libraries will now post information about the program. The teacher recognition program asks the public to nominate teachers either by mail or over the Internet. All state libraries have Internet access.

Each year, Arch Coal provides each of 10 recipients a $2,500 personal, unrestricted cash award.

"It is Arch Coal's way of saying thank you for doing such a great job with our children," said Schaefer. "Over the past five years, Arch Coal has honored 50 excellent classroom teachers in Wyoming."

The Governor's Office, Department of Education, Wyoming Education Association, Taco John's and Loaf 'n Jug also are partners in the program.

Arch Coal is the nation's second largest coal producer and employs approximately 900 people in Wyoming. Arch Coal's Black Thunder mine sells more than 90 million tons of clean-burning, low-sulfur coal on an annual basis. Located in Campbell County, Black Thunder mine is one of the largest and most efficient coal mines in the world. Arch Coal is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACI) and maintains its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.