resources

Family Connections

Getting Involved

Tools

Resources

Leadership

About

Getting Involved

More than 60 CSD employees have decided to make this year their last with Canyons District. Whether they are retiring from teaching, counseling, bus driving, custodial, or administrative work, they have made enormous contributions. Together, they have dedicated more than 920 years of service to the Canyons community. Some have been in education for 40 or more years, and many have worked for Canyons since the District’s inception in 2009. All have contributed to our success. The Canyons Board of Education and Administration salute these dedicated professionals for their years of service.

An Open House for Pat Ward and Carolyn Brooks
will be  Friday, May 5, 2-3:30 p.m.
in the gym at Sunrise Elementary, 1542 E. 11245 South, Sandy

An Open House for Georgia Bruening, Teresa Hunter, Kathy Leatherwood, and Barbara Hickok
will be Wednesday, May 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
at Indian Hills Middle, 1180 E. Sanders Rd, Sandy

An Open House for Marianne Watts 
will be Friday, May 12, 2:30-4:30 p.m. 
in the media center at Willow Springs Elementary, 13288 Lone Rock Dr, Draper

An Open House for Wayne Jones, Marian Gladbach, Kevin Mark, and Mark Petersen 
will be Friday, May 12 at 2:30 p.m.
in the media Center at Jordan High School, 95 E. Beetdigger Blvd. in Sandy

An Open House for Sallianne Wakley and Sharee Jorgensen
will be Monday, May 15, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
in the Canyons Center at the Canyons District Office, 9361 s. 300 East, Sandy

An Open House for Nicole Clark, Julie Epperson and David Olsen
will be Monday, May 15, 3:30-5 p.m.
at Butler Middle School, 7530 S. 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights

An Open House for Sheradee Bradfield and Lee Ann Oliverson
will be MondayMay 15, 3-4:30 p.m.
in the forum at Midvale Middle School, 7852 South Pioneer St., Midvale

An Open House for Darwin Melville and Phil Sorg
will be Wednesday May 17, 2-4 p.m.
in the Media Center at Corner Canyon High.

An Open House for Marsha Wallin
will be Friday May 193:30 – 5:30 p.m.
in the Media Center at Brookwood Elementary, 8640 S Snowbird Drive, Sandy

An Open House for Danna Caldwell
will be held Friday May 19, 2-4 p.m.
in the library at East Midvale Elementary, 6990 S. 300 East, Midvale

An Open House for Dr. Robert Dowdle 
will be WednesdayMay 243-5 p.m.
 in the Board Room at the District Office, 9361 S 300 E, Sandy

View Retirement Open House Events Read Less
TED BENNETT
TED BENNETT

It’s salt-of-the-earth people like Ted Bennett, who has worked in — and on — schools for decades, who help make CSD a great place to be. Bennett has worked as the general trade lead for five years. He’s also been on the grounds crew, worked at the central warehouse, done general trades welding, and fulfilled the District’s glazier role. He, his hard work and handiwork will be missed. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people over the 38 years,” he said. “That’s what I’ll miss is the people.” Bennett takes pride in accomplishing his goal of becoming the lead. “I think I've done a decent job, you know?” he said. “It put food on the table. It didn't make me rich, but I've always had sufficient for my needs. I put three sons on missions and we've never really wanted for a whole lot, so that's great.”  Bennett’s four children and 10 grandkids live in Utah, so they’ll get good grandpa time in his retirement. He plans on doing yard work, gardening, and fishing. “I got a lot of stuff that I like to tinker with at home,” he said. “I might get antsy and have to find something, but for now I just want to take some time off, see what’s out there, and do something new.”

BARBARA BLASER
BARBARA BLASER

Proving to herself and the world that she can do hard things, Barbara Blaser worked two jobs to support her young family while going back to school as a single mother before becoming a teacher. She even earned her four-year degree in three years. Blaser carried that focused determination and passion into what turned out to be a rewarding 35-year career in education in Idaho and Utah. Over the years, she’s taught all grade levels from first to eighth grade. Her tenure with Canyons school began in 2008 when she taught the sixth-grade gifted-and-talented program at Ridgecrest Elementary. After bouncing around grades a bit, she helped start the Dual Language Immersion program with first-graders. Blaser has taught second-graders at the school in recent years. “I love the kids,” she said with a smile. It’s elating when she helps a student grasp a concept and they’re inspired to learn more. Her reward: “Just seeing that light go on in their eyes.” In retirement, Blaser plans on organizing her family history materials and stories to pass onto her children. She hopes to finish four books she’s started. A former ski instructor, she also hopes to hit the slopes again now that she’s healed from two knee surgeries. There’s also traveling, exploring and family time in store for her future. “I just want to get healthy and enjoy life.”

SHERADEE BRADFIELD
SHERADEE BRADFIELD

For the past 30 years, Sheradee Bradfield has taught tech, geography and history at Midvale Middle. “My favorite thing is when my students get something and then their eyes light up,” she said. “It never gets old.” Spending time with students never gets old for Bradfield, either. “We laugh a lot. We have fun,” she said. “I've worked here long enough that I've seen my students grow up to do amazing things.” After teaching in the same school for three decades, Bradfield said she has taught a few children of former students, which makes parent-teacher conferences more like a family reunion. She considered going into broadcasting and computers, but, deep down, she knew that being a teacher was her destiny. Seeing her students succeed — like the one who grew up nearby and is now a lawyer — affirms that she made the right career choice. Bradfield, a young retiree, plans on helping a friend start a podcast. She would also like to return to her school on a part-time basis, perhaps as a mentor or hall monitor. The Jordan High alumna loves the people there that much. Midvale has always felt like her second home. “Some of my best friends work in this building,” she added. “They're incredibly good people.”

CAROLYN BROOKS
CAROLYN BROOKS

Receiving her school’s Teacher of the Year award in 2011 came during a challenging period for Carolyn Brooks. She had a large class of 33 students and had just finished her Master’s degree in technology literacy. It was validating for the Sunrise Elementary teacher. Teaching students a variety of subjects and disciplines gives her a sense of purpose in her career. “I love the interconnectedness,” she said. “I love learning. And I like seeing my students in that process. When they're really excited about learning, they're happy, they start getting it and they find it interesting, I think that’s the best part of it.” Brooks, who’s with fourth-graders this year but taught fifth grade for most of her 18 years at Sunrise, began teaching in the 1970s. She jokes about having one of the shortest ID numbers. After raising her kids, working elsewhere and life circumstances, Brooks returned to the classroom in her 40s. She’s invested in her students and will miss them dearly. But after 24 years of teaching, the time feels right to try new things. “I'll miss the community. I'll miss the kids, but I'll always have the shared experiences,” she said. “I tell them to always let me know what happens in their life and that I’ll always be interested in what you’re doing.”

MORGAN BROWN
MORGAN BROWN

Morgan Brown, whose educational career began four decades ago at Woods Cross High, has been an Alta High institution since landing a job at his dream school in 1989. He has coached multiple sports, taught P.E., math and driver’s ed, and led the Athletic Department for 22 years. Brown cherishes his 27 years on the road with student drivers. And, yes, he has stories — like how the brakes overheated near Brighton Ski Resort or when a pupil got into a fender-bender, or the time he was driven into a snowbank. “Some people think I’m crazy, but I enjoyed going out with the kids,” he said. “I’ve had kids that I’ll just remember forever.” Brown, Utah’s Athletic Director of