MANTI, Utah, April 29, 2010 -- Five area classroom teachers were honored today at a ceremony at Manti Elementary school, each receiving a prestigious Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award.

In addition to Arch Coal Senior Vice President Paul Lang and Utah Education Association Executive Director Mark Mickelsen were on hand to honor the recipients. This is the fourth year for the Arch Coal Foundation's teacher recognition program 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.

The five recipients are:

"Each year, when I read about the professionalism, innovation and caring attitudes the Arch Coal recipients bring to their classrooms, I know that our children are in good hands at school," said Lang. "Our world is changing at a fast pace. If our nation is to continue to prosper and lead, then our children must be challenged and taught in classrooms by excellent teachers like those we honor today.

"These five teachers put their students first," said Lang. "They are committed to changing the lives of their students through education and by providing opportunities to succeed. Teachers change lives is not a slogan; it is a fact."

"It is obvious that our future rests in the hands of a well-educated population," said State School Board Member Dixie Allen. "Our future is ultimately in the hands of the teachers and parents who assure that our students have every chance to be well educated. To ensure that teachers have the support necessary to do their job, we need to count on the involvement of companies like Arch Coal and the Arch Coal Foundation to highlight the quality and value of our teachers."

"The Utah Education Association is proud to partner with the Arch Coal Foundation in honoring these outstanding educators," said Mickelsen. "These professionals represent the very best of Utah's many talented teachers who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of Utah's schoolchildren. They are helping to build a bright future for our state."

Each recipient receives a distinctive trophy, a classroom plaque and a $3,500 personal, cash award.

Partners for the program include the Office of the Governor, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Education Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, Carbon County School District, Emery County School District, Sevier County School District, North Sanpete School District, South Sanpete School District, Far West Bank, Market Express, radio stations KMTI, KLGL, KMGR, KSVC, KCYQ, KOAL, KARB, KRPX, and both TacoTime and Bookcliff Sales in Price.

Arch Coal is Utah's largest coal producer and a large, state employer, with a workforce of approximately 800. Through all its operations, 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 five current recipients as well as past recipients is posted at http://archteacherawards.com/.