An assembly was called May 22 at Powell Middle School to celebrate WY-TOPP scores; it was an odd idea since the scores had not been released in their entirety. Math teacher Dale Estes was sitting at the top of the bleachers surrounded by students who began to suspect that the district’s teacher of the year was in their midst. Then, Superintendent Jay Curtis took the microphone to announce that the WY-TOPP assembly was a ruse — Estes was named the district’s top teacher and the students jumped up in joy while Estes smiled in disbelief. 

Assistant Principal Chanler Buck told the assembled staff and middle schoolers that Estes has been at Powell Middle School just shy of 40 years. During this time he has served as both a basketball and MathCounts coach. This year he was honored for his role in both activities. Estes was chosen by the Wyoming Coaches Association to receive the distinguished service award this year and as a MathCounts coach Estes was selected to coach the national team in Orlando, Florida. 

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jason Sleep called Estes a man of humility, commitment and integrity, “when you talk about Mr. Estes that’s who he is,” Sleep said. 

Sleep served as the middle school principal 14 years ago where he had the opportunity to work with Estes — before that Sleep was a freshman at Powell High School when Estes began teaching sixth grade math.

“He’s always there with the kids. He always makes kids successful, whatever he does … Mr. Estes is probably one of the most rounded men that I know,” Sleep said. “He has one of those traits that is constant every time you see him in a hallway, you know you can expect certain things from Mr. Estes.”

When Estes finally took the microphone he immediately gave credit back to the students and community. When the assembly was finished one of the first things Estes did was answer a student’s question. 

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself,” Sleep said. “But thinking of yourself less. That’s exactly what he does.”

Estes said he was caught off guard by the award which is typically hidden from teachers until a school assembly where their family and friends are also present — when Estes opened his speech by placing the community and students above himself it was without premeditation.

“I’m just blessed to be … in this community and to be able to teach here in Powell, and what a great gift and just all of the other people that have influenced my life,” he said. “I don’t regret it one day.”