Five Area Teachers Named Finalists for $5,000 Teaching Award

LYNDEN, Wash. — Five private-school educators in Whatcom County earned finalist spots for the 2026 Brown & Brown Excellence in Education Award, which honors teachers who make a major impact in local classrooms.

Organizers will honor the finalists during a public ice cream social from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Jansen Art Center. The award presentation starts at 4:30 p.m.

2026 Finalists

“The annual Brown & Brown Excellence in Education award enables the community to recognize some of the best and most impactful teachers of our community,” said Alex Bogaard, president of the Seattle and Lynden offices of Brown & Brown Insurance Services.

Community Nominations Drove Selections

Brown & Brown accepted nominations from the public over the past year. Dave Tjoelker of Lynden Christian High School won the first private-school award in 2025.

“It’s amazing to learn how much positive impact these educators have on our young people,” Paul Kenner of Brown & Brown’s Lynden office said. “More nominations made it difficult to pick our five finalists.”

Teachers Praised for Leadership and Student Support

Fakkema teaches and serves as principal for seventh- and eighth-grade students at Lynden Christian Middle School. One nomination said he creates a classroom that feels fun while still pushing students to succeed.

Quehrn teaches music for grades 5 through 12 at Lynden Christian. He also launched the school’s first marching band last year and leads a jazz band that practices before school.

It’s amazing to learn how much positive impact these educators have on our young people. More nominations made it difficult to pick our five finalists.

— Paul Kenner, Brown & Brown Lynden

Parents and former students praised Smit, a second-grade teacher at Ebenezer Christian School, for her organization, encouragement and communication with families.

Snyder teaches sixth grade at Lynden Christian Middle School. Nominators said she keeps students engaged by blending strong instruction with creative lessons.

Brown & Brown will also recognize finalists for its public-school educator award during the May 27 event. More information is available at bbrownexcellenceineducation.org.

About Brown & Brown

Brown & Brown, Inc. is a global insurance brokerage firm founded in 1939 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. The company operates more than 700 locations worldwide and employs approximately 23,000 people.

The company recently earned spots on the 2026 Best Workplaces in Canada and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams lists from Great Place to Work Canada. Brown & Brown also earned Great Place to Work certification in Canada for the first time in 2025 and for the seventh consecutive year in the United States.