CSD’s ‘Book Hero’ Knows Reading Takes Practice and Practice Can Be Fun
Gretchen Zaitzeff is a children’s literacy warrior, storming the front lines with books as her weapons and knowledge as her armor. “Democracy depends on it,” says Canyons District’s Library and Media Specialist. “Democracy depends on an informed electorate.” Zaitzeff’s efforts have earned her the praise of her peers. She received Operation Literacy’s 2025 “Book Hero Award” at […]
Midvale Middle’s Simons Honored as Utah’s Top Middle School AP
The things students say make her laugh. Sometimes, the things they say break her heart. But of all the things, there’s never a time when ConnieTrue Simons ever doubts whether she and her colleagues at Midvale Middle are making a difference in the lives of Trojan teenagers and adolescents. “I love being at this school. […]
Hillcrest Theater Teacher to Make London Debut with Family Musical
Award-winning Hillcrest High theater teacher Josh Long will soon embark on a trip to London where he will direct a play titled “A Little Piece of You: An Atypical Musical.” It’s not just joining the ranks of such icons as Andrew Lloyd Webber as a contributor to the artistry on West End stages that is […]
This ‘World’s Best’ Bus Driver Calls Canyons District Home
Jeremy Klung doesn’t just love driving a school bus, he’s good at it. Scratch that, he’s great at it — particularly when it comes to the precision required to steer a 35-to-40 foot long vehicle through construction zones and along snowy roads with the goal of safely getting dozens of children to and from school […]
Midvale Homeless Shelter Named for Student Advocate Connie Crosby
When Connie Crosby first heard of the plan being hatched to rename The Road Home homeless shelter after her, she — in typical Connie fashion — demurred. “I was somewhat reluctant, because I can think of a lot of people in this Midvale community and at this shelter who are so deserving,” she recalled. But […]
How a Canyons Teacher is Connecting with Students One Song at a Time
In Canyons, students aren’t the only ones who know the apprehension of auditioning for a role or the thrill of a standing ovation. Teachers like Hillcrest High’s RaNae Dalgleish bring to the classroom first-hand experience as professional artists — in her case, as a member of one of the most prestigious choirs in the world. Having […]
CSD Teacher Named Runner-Up in Utah Teacher of the Year Competition
Midvale Middle mathematics teacher Maxwell Eddington has an exponentially positive effect on his students. This much was clear to a blue-ribbon panel that has chosen Eddington, now in his ninth year as an educator, as a runner-up to the Utah Teacher of the Year. The selection of Eddington as one of the Beehive State’s premier […]
Eastmont Middle English Teacher-Turned-Author Lands Dream Book Deal
In the near future, Eastmont Middle teacher Marc Gregson will be in a unique position. His English Language Arts students could do book reports on novels written by him. The first book of Gregson’s upcoming “Above the Black” trilogy is set to be published in January 2024, with the next two books of the young-adult […]
Draper Park Science Teacher Picked for NASA-Affiliated Educator-Training Program
A Canyons District teacher may be headed where few teachers have gone before. Draper Park Middle science educator Jenn Muir has been picked to attend a prestigious NASA-affiliated teacher-training program that could include a flight to the stratosphere on the world’s largest flying observatory. “It is exciting,” says Muir, who has taught at Union and […]
All that jazz: Corner Canyon High Director Randal Clark Helping Utah ‘Jazz’ Scene Hit Right Notes
The most recent Connect Canyons Podcast is about Utah jazz. Not THE Utah Jazz, mind you. The other jazz in Utah. More specifically, it’s about one of the elite jazz musicians and high school teachers in the state, Randal Clark of Corner Canyon High, who graciously shared his takes on the state of jazz in […]
