RICHFIELD, Utah, May 2, 2012 -- Five area teachers today received coveted Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards during a ceremony at Red Hills Middle School.

The award-winning teachers are:

Arch Coal Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Lang made the announcement, accompanied by Utah Education Association Executive Director Mark Mickelsen. This is the sixth year the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards have been made in Utah.

"Excellent classroom teachers are essential components of a high-quality education," said Lang. "Excellence is transferred from teachers to students -- and then into our communities and across our great nation. Arch Coal is proud to recognize these five teachers for their professionalism, dedication and compassion."

"The Utah Education Association is proud to partner with the Arch Coal Foundation to honor these outstanding educators," said Mickelsen. "These professionals are excellent examples of Utah's many talented teachers working to build a bright future for our state."

The Arch Coal Foundation's teacher recognition program is available to classroom teachers in Carbon, Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties. The counties surround the Skyline, Dugout Canyon and Sufco mines operated by Canyon Fuel Company, a subsidiary of major U.S. coal producer Arch Coal, Inc. Each recipient receives a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a $3,500 personal, cash award.

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is a top five global coal producer and marketer, and the most diversified American coal company, with more than 20 mining complexes across every major U.S. coal supply basin. In 2011, Arch continued to lead the U.S. coal industry in safety performance and environmental compliance among large, diversified producers. Arch's Canyon Fuel Company is Utah's largest coal producer and a large, state employer, with a workforce of more than 750.

Information about each of the five current recipients, as well as past recipients, is posted at archteacherawards.com.