Washougal teacher VFW’s Teacher of the Year

WASHOUGAL — Washougal High School history teacher Jim Reed was selected as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4278 Teacher of the Year. He was honored along with local students who won awards in a recent VFW essay contest on Jan. 12 at the Camas Community Center. He was nominated by Kathy and Ray Loney, who described Reed as “teaching the importance of citizenship, providing leadership in student community projects, encouraging essay submissions and connecting students with veterans,” according to a news release. “I have had my classes write the VFW Voice of Democracy Essay for the past seven years, and fortunately our students have written outstanding essays,” Reed said. Washougal High School student Thomas Hein won first place in this year’s VFW District 6 Voice of Democracy essay contest, and Ashlyn James received third place. Hein’s essay will advance to a statewide competition. WHS American Sign Language teacher Tami Grant won in 2018, and teacher and coach David Hajak won the award in 2017. “I am honored to be recognized by the veterans, it is very humbling, and I am grateful to them. This is an honor that means a lot to me but a true testament to my family and mentors,” Reed said in the release.