Brian Cox Named Wyoming Teacher of the Year

The agriculture instructor received the state honor at an awards gala in Casper.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Agriculture

Brian Cox Named Wyoming Teacher of the Year

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Should schools prioritize vocational and agriculture training alongside traditional core academic subjects?

The Wyoming Department of Education named agriculture teacher Brian Cox the 2027 Teacher of the Year. He was selected from nominees across the state's 48 school districts.

Why it matters

The award recognizes Cox for his long-term commitment to agricultural education, which aims to teach students the origins of the food supply chain. This honor highlights the importance of vocational and agricultural curriculum within Wyoming schools.

Brian Cox has a 21-year teaching career, including 15 years spent in Pine Bluffs and four years at his current posts. The Laramie County School District No. 1 operates a 406-acre farm where students manage livestock operations.

The players

Brian Cox

He is an agriculture instructor at Cheyenne South High School and Johnson Junior High School who earned a degree from Texas Tech University.

Wyoming Department of Education

This state agency oversees K-12 schooling and manages the annual selection process for the Teacher of the Year award.

Laramie County School District No. 1

This educational institution operates a large-scale student farm north of Cheyenne that serves as a hands-on laboratory for agriculture students.

The details

Cox currently teaches agriculture at Cheyenne South High School and Johnson Junior High School after earning his degree from Texas Tech University. His instructional approach includes managing a district farm where students take responsibility for raising pigs, lambs, and calves while funding their own feed and animal costs.

Brian Cox was named district teacher of the year in April 2026.
The state award was presented at a gala on October 11, 2026.
The Wyoming Department of Education announced the winner on October 12, 2026.

Market Landscape

This instructional program addresses the reality that only 2% of humans are engaged in food production. It serves to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world agricultural operations to ensure a future workforce for the industry.

Students involved in the district farm gain practical financial experience by funding their own animal costs and labor deposits. Families can expect students to develop direct experience with livestock management and agricultural economics.

The takeaway

Educators like Brian Cox demonstrate that specialized vocational training provides students with critical life skills beyond standard classroom subjects. These programs offer a model for integrating experiential learning directly into regional school curricula.