The Gold Key Award is the most prestigious award conveyed by the Wyoming Education Association.

It is presented for extraordinary service, which has contributed to the professional development of WEA, and to the enhancement and advancement of education in the state of Wyoming.

To be considered for the award the individual must be an active or retired member of the WEA and shall be sponsored by a local affiliate. The qualifications, the contributions, and the most appropriate and pertinent reasons why the individual is deserving of this award shall be emphasized in the nominating report.

The Gold key is awarded only when a deserving candidate is nominated and selected. No more than one award shall be made in a given year.

The recipient of the award shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria.

• Significant contributions to the development of public education in Wyoming.
• Distinguished leadership in various offices (local/state/national) and/or committees/commissions of the WEA/NEA.
• Advocate for the professional development and improvement of the WEA.

The format used for the nomination of this award is a portfolio representing the nominee’s service to the Association and to the profession. This portfolio is presented to the recipient at the WEA Awards and Recognition Banquet.

The recipient receives a gold key embossed with the Association seal and engraved with the name and date, along with a Gold Key Award Certificate. A plaque engraved with the names of the Gold Key recipients shall be displayed in the Wyoming Education Association headquarters office.

The Board of Directors of WEA shall serve as the selection committee and no person who is a member of the Board of Directors at the time of selection shall be eligible for consideration. The identity of the recipient of this award remains confidential until the presentation is made at the WEA Awards Banquet