The Nevada Appeal's "Silver Dollars & Wooden Nickels" feature recognizes positive achievements from the capital region and, when warranted, points out others that missed the mark.SILVER DOLLARS: To Carson High English and technology teacher Adam Whatley for being named the Nevada Teacher of the Year.“Adam is a highly deserving teacher,” Superintendent Richard Stokes said. “Not only is he energizing and interesting and popular with the students, he is community minded and serves as an expert educator.“He will represent Nevada well.”Whatley, a 1996 Carson High School graduate, became the third Carson City School District teacher since 2008 to receive the distinction. He joined CHS English teacher Cheryl Macy in 2011 and Empire Elementary School teacher LeAnn Morris in 2008. Thank you to all of the teachers who work daily to inspire our children.WOODEN NICKELS: To the bitter cold that has been lingering in the area for the past few weeks. The cold caused havoc last week causing freezing pipe bursts around the region. It appears the region is in for a little bit of a warm up with forecasters calling for 50 degree temperatures on Tuesday with a low of 31. SILVER DOLLARS: To Sherry Rupert, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission, for being elected vice president to the board that governs the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. Rupert will represent the Southwest region as one of 14 members of the national board that helps American Indians develop tribal culture-based tourism opportunities. Along with providing education and training for tribes to increase tourism, the association introduces tribes to international markets.“To become vice president is a great honor and, I think, significant,” Rupert said. “It’s a good time for tourism in the (Indian) Nation, especially with the support of the Obama administration.”For more information visit www.aianta.org.