TORRINGTON – Looking back on one’s childhood, it’s easy to remember your favorite friend, favorite grandparent, favorite uncle or favorite movie. 

It’s easy to remember your favorite family vacation and favorite Christmas present you ever received. 

You can probably also remember quite vividly who your favorite teacher was and when you do, you’ll be flooded with memories of a person who saw something in you nobody else did. Did they show you compassion when you needed it the most? Did they give you the proper discipline to stay focused and accomplish your goals? Did they push you to be the best you could be? Or maybe they just told funny jokes in class and made learning fun.

Cheryl Trimble, Goshen County School District No. 1 (GCSD) Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026, is no doubt etched into the memories of countless students. 

Last month marked 34 years as an educator and 19 here in Goshen County for Trimble.

Trimble was born in Monticello, Minnesota and lived a typical all-American childhood.

“I grew up in a lakeside home built by my parents outside of Monticello. My childhood was filled with outdoor adventures including skiing, fishing, boating, tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling and horseback riding. I am the youngest and only girl. I have two older brothers,” Trimble explains.

These memories were made possible by parents who believed hard work, education and responsibility were important qualities to possess and set forth an example every day. 

“My mother put herself through school first as a CNA, then an LPN and then an RN. My father was a jack of all trades, working in factories, owning a fishing resort, a taxi service and managing an independent living facility for senior citizens. My folks set the example as hard workers,” Trimble said of her folks. 

As you would be expected of an educator of 34 years, Trimble dreamed of entering the profession even as a child.

“My mother says I was a born teacher. As a little girl I would play school and torture my brothers to be the students. When they tired of the teacher bossing them around, my dolls would take their place,” she reminisced.

So, she followed in the footsteps of her motivated mom and set out to be a teacher.

She obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, earned her Masters of Art Degree in the area of Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Finally, she would get her Generalist Endorsement allowing her to teach K-21 years of age in the area of special education from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado.

She was officially a teacher and no longer torturing her brothers but nurturing young minds on a journey which would span over three decades and multiple states. 

“My first teaching position was teaching an at-risk kindergarten class in Fallon, Neveda for which I received the ‘Rookie Teacher of the Year Award’ for my impact with the students and families. I then went on to teach K-12 special education, junior high english and reading and sponsor cheerleading; wearing many hats in a rural school on the prairie of Colorado. From there I worked with special education students who had been suspended or expelled from school. Working individually with students allowed me to make an impact. I then found my home in Goshen County and have been here for 19 years. I taught at Lingle-Fort Laramie Schools for 15 years, rotating between middle school and high school special education and elementary special education. For the past four years, I have been the educator at The Compass Academy; the GCSD #1 transition program for 18–21-year-old students who need some additional support and reinforcement with employment skills, independent living skills, social emotional skills and functional academic skills. I am also the ‘backpack coordinator’ and teach students about the importance of community service by packing over 350 Cotant’s Totes of Hope backpacks for Goshen County students,” Trimble said proudly. 

While she cherished the first 30 years of her career, Trimble said the last four years have been the most impactful to her as an educator. 

“The last four years of my career may perhaps be the most memorable. I have had an opportunity to establish relationships with businesses and employers in the community who have been willing to offer students with difficulties-either physically, mentally or cognitively- an opportunity to be productive citizens of the community,” she explains. 

These relationships and commitment to her craft are what earned Trimble the teacher of the year honor for the 2025-2026 school year.

The criteria for teacher of the year  included a nomination from a school district employee, a letter of recommendation from a colleague, a letter of recommendation from the nominee’s principal, a letter of support from one of the nominee’s students and a vote of approval from the selection committee.

GCSD Superintendent Ryan Kramer said the district is extremely fortunate to have educators like Trimble making a difference in the lives of students. 

“Ms. Trimble has been a source of consistency, nurturing and patience. Her unwavering support helped build a deep sense of trust for my child,” Kramer said, not only as an administrator but also as a parent.

Just like the rest of us, Trimble too can look back and find the bright spot in her childhood school days. 

“My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Mlynek, made an impact in my life. Her compassion and connection inspired me to become a teacher so I could do the same for students. Mrs. Mlynek taught me the importance of building relationships with students and their parents. I wanted to do the same. I wanted to make an impact in students’ lives,” she said as she fondly remembers one of the many strong women who inspired her over the years. 

With over three decades in the business, Trimble said she would give the following advice to new teachers:

“Make an impact and advocate for the underdogs, the unchosen, the invisible and the vulnerable students. Establish relationships with students and parents, colleagues and community members.”

Advice she has lived with every fiber of her being for 34 years. 

Trimble sums up her career so far by saying the following:

“Teaching is not a job; it is a passion. My favorite thing about teaching is observing students have success in life after they have completed school, whether with employment, raising children, or contributing to their community. I have traveled to Idaho to see a former student having success in his chosen profession. He treated me to dinner stating, ‘You made us enough treats when I was in your class, it is my turn to treat you.’”