College of Education MVPs

 

By Micaela Myers

 

Laramie County School District 1 Superintendent Stephen Newton

 

Growing up in Guernsey, Wyo., Stephen Newton remembers family trips to University of Wyoming Cowboys games. 
“It was just bigger than life,” he says. “I was from a town without a stoplight, and so going to War Memorial Stadium was a pretty good introduction to the university.”

When it came time to go to college, Newton followed in his brother’s footsteps and chose UW, earning a degree in biology in 1995 with honors. 

“My UW education laid very strong foundations for whatever the next challenge was,” he says. “I felt like there were opportunities around every twist and turn at UW. I tell my own kids that my only regret was not getting involved in even more things. UW has been an incredibly positive, beneficial and powerful force in the lives of a lot of folks.”

After working as a teacher in Arizona, Newton considered how he could impact even more students. Returning to UW in 2005, he graduated with a master’s degree in education focused on educational leadership. He became an assistant principal at Cheyenne’s McCormick Junior High School before joining Central High School as associate principal and then head principal. Newton went on to earn his doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction at UW 2012 and served as the UW director of curriculum and instruction for eight years. In 2023, he was appointed as interim superintendent of Laramie County School District 1 (LCSD1) before being named superintendent in early 2024. 

“We are the biggest district in the state with more than 13,000 kids at any given time and more than 2,500 employees,” Newton says. “I’ve been blessed to lead a system that’s very complex but also one where we can effect incredible change with thousands and thousands of kids.”

His leadership roles have included directing LCSD1’s Pre-Service Professionals Development Program and influencing curriculum design and instructional strategies across the state. Newton has written books on educational leadership, earned honors and served as an educational consultant. He helps educate the next generation of future teachers by serving as an adjunct professor at UW. Newton also serves on Laramie County Community College’s President’s Advisory Board and is a former member of the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and Cheyenne LEADS. His wife, Amanda, is a two-time UW graduate and works as an attorney. Together, they have six children. 

“I’ve had the great benefit of working in other places, living in other places and traveling professionally, and there are so many things about Wyoming that continue to make it an incredibly special place to live, work and raise a family,” Newton says. “It’s got to be one of country’s best-kept secrets. It delights me to no end when somebody gives Wyoming a chance and sees for themselves. I see example after example of people falling in love with it and wondering where Wyoming’s been their whole life.”

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Wyoming Association of School Administrators Executive Director  Boyd Brown

 

Boyd Brown’s father worked as a ranch hand in Midwest, Wyo. As one of six kids, Brown saw education as a way to better his life. He attended the University of Wyoming, earning his bachelor’s degree in physical and health education. Brown also played football for the Cowboys and even wrestled for a semester. 

“It was a great opportunity to be on a team, be part of something bigger and learn some leadership skills,” he says. “My professors believed in me, so even as an undergrad I had the opportunity to do some graduate teaching for them.”

After graduation in 1987, Brown went to work as a teacher in Campbell County, but two comments from co-workers set him on a path to leadership. 

“One of my mentors told me I needed to get a master’s fairly quickly so to move up the salary schedule,” he says. “Then a kindergarten teacher came over and said, ‘You’re going to make a great principal someday.’ I thought I could impact a lot more kids if 
I did — that was the biggest draw for me.”

Brown went on to earn his master’s degree in educational leadership in 1992, his education specialist in educational leadership in 2006 and his doctorate in educational leadership in 2008 — all from UW. 

“I learned a lot about leadership and improving the educational process for students,” he says.

Brown served as an associate principal, principal and eventually superintendent. 

“I’ve been the superintendent in Cheyenne and Clearmont — the largest and smallest districts in the state,” Brown says. “Education gave me the opportunity to change my life. Seeing kids come back and tell you how much you helped them is so impactful. Sometimes you don’t know you made a difference until they come back years later and tell you.”

Along the way, he earned the Superintendent of the Year and the Dr. Myron Basom Leadership Award. The chance to impact larger numbers of students kept Brown on his upward trajectory, which ultimately led him to his executive director role with the Wyoming Association of School Administrators. This organization supports educational leaders to ensure Wyoming students receive a top-notch education. 

“I help mentor new superintendents, provide leadership and lobbying to the Legislature — whatever I need to do,” he says. “We put on workshops and conferences, and then I represent the organization at the national level as well. Having the opportunity to give back to the organization that always supported me while I was a superintendent feels great.”

Brown stays connected with UW and visits regularly, and he appreciates living and working in Wyoming. 

“I love the varied experiences you can have — from Yellowstone National Park to the Red Desert to the plains,” he says. “I grew up on ranches, so I love the ranching lifestyle and small-town feel. It’s still affordable to live here, and you’re able to affect things at your local level all the way up to the governor.”