Natrona County High School (Gregory Hurst)

Casper, Waio. — Three schools in Casper are struggling to handle the sudden loss of teachers and young students.

Mauro Diaz was a science teacher at Natrona County High School. He previously taught Dean Science at Morgan Middle School and served as an Education Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Education in 2014.

Mauro’s youngest child, a third grader at Park Elementary School, also died.

The cause was reportedly a car accident between Casper and Thermopolis. The Wyoming Highway Patrol said the incident was still under investigation and more information could be released later Monday.

Natrona County School District spokesperson Tanya Southerland said in a message to Oil City News, “Our deepest condolences, prayers, condolences and thoughts go out to our families, friends, families at school and the community. .

According to a U.S. Department of Education profile for Hispanic Heritage Month, Mauro immigrated with his family from Juarez, Mexico, as a boy and eventually graduated from St. Mary’s College in San Antonio, Texas with a BA in English. He moved to Wyoming in search of a manufacturing job, but he strove to find a more meaningful job.

“I feel the need to give back,” Diaz told the Casper Star Tribune in a 2014 profile. of?”

After eventually graduating from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and completing the New York City Teaching Fellow Program, he began teaching science at Dean Morgan Middle School in 2005.

Casper resident John Craddock said in a message to Oil City News that Mauro was a positive force in his life.

“He knew I didn’t know my real father and helped me fill it out. [void] At school,” said Craddock. “He always checked on me outside and in class.”

“He was one of the best teachers I’ve had,” he added.

Casper Oilers Hockey, which the Diaz family has been involved with for some time, is organizing a vigil for the family at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Monday at 7pm.

“We welcome all community members regardless of religion or belief,” they said.