View the list of Canyons District employees who hold leadership positions on state, regional, and national boards, associations, task forces, and community groups
Caleb Shabestari, Alta High
Scott Stucki, Hillcrest High
Ofelia Wade, State Dual Immersion Coordinator
Janet Goble, Director of CTE
Clief Castleton, Hillcrest High
Milo Maughan, Corner Canyon High
Jenn Muir, Draper Park Middle
Sharee Jorgensen, District Performing Arts Specialist
Great teachers make for great schools, and in Canyons we are fortunate to work with the best in the business. More than half of CDS’s 1,700 faculty members have a master’s or doctoral degree, and many hold adjunct teaching positions at local colleges and universities. Our schools are home to published scientists, professional artists, successful business owners and public office holders. They love what they do and their reach extends beyond the classroom through their service on state, regional, and national Boards, commissions, and professional associations.
Of faculty hold advanced degrees
Utah Teachers of the Year
Holding leadership posts for professional, community organizations (2023-2024)
Huntsman Award Winners
Utah Coaches of the Year
9361 S. 300 East
Sandy, Utah 84070
801-826-5000
communications@canyonsdistrict.org
Educators Without Borders
The following is a running list of Canyons District employees who hold leadership positions on state, regional, and national boards, associations, task forces, and community groups.
Amy Boettger – Board Member, Utah Alternative Education Association |
Case Spaulding – President, Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers |
Charisse Hilton – Board Member: Utah Association of Secondary School Principals |
Christina Van Dam – Utah PTA Teacher Representative, UTAH PTA Board |
J.P. Kentros – Choral Committee, Utah Music Educators Association |
Jeremy Wardle – President Elect, Utah Association of Pupil Transportation |
Julie Beane – Executive Board Special Programs Representative Canyons Education Association (CEA) |
Justin Andersen – USBE Student Data Policy Advisory Group Board Member |
Justin Andersen – Utah Coalition of Educational Technology Board Member |
Kadyn Woolstenhulme – Publicity Director, Utah Dance Education Organization |
Kirsten Stewart – President Elect, Utah School Public Relations Association |
Lesli Morris – Utah Ambassador for the News Literacy Project |
Leslie Robinett – Ombudsman and past president, Utah Debate Coaches Association |
Lora Tuesday Heathfield – Board Member; Utah Association of School Psychologists |
Lora Tuesday Heathfield – Leadership Assembly, National Association of School Psychologists |
Margaret Swanicke – Secretary – Utah Association of Elementary School Principals |
Mark Mataya – Board Member, Former Board President – AEAUT (Adult Education Association of Utah) |
Mindy Curtis – Board Member and Past President, Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers |
Molly Hart – 1st Vice-Chair, Utah State Board of Education |
Patricia Larkin – South Valley Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Board |
Sally Williams – SHAPE Utah Board Member, Physical Education Secondary Rep. |
Sharee Jorgensen – Executive Director, Utah Music Educators Association |
Susan Edwards – Healthy Salt Lake (County) |
Susan Edwards – Healthy Sandy |
Susan Edwards – Trust Land Action Committee (TLAC) |
Susan Edwards – Draper Emergency Management Committee |
Susan Edwards – South Valley Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Board |
Susan Edwards – Utah PTA Legislative Action Committee |
Suzie DuVal – Secretary, Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers |
Tom Sherwood – UHSAA Executive Committee Board Member |
Global Influence: Educators Without Borders
Alta High’s Caleb Shabestari and Hillcrest’s Scott Stucki are recipients of Utah High School Activities Association’s 2022 Distinguished Service Awards. Shabestari, who leads the Hawks’ award-winning instrumental music program, which includes the marching band, is the 5A Music Educator of the Year. Stucki, who is in charge of both the Huskies’ track-and-field and cross-country teams, is the 5A Coach of the Year. They were honored at a special banquet. Congratulations, Mr. Shabestari and Mr. Stucki!
Global Influence: Educators Without Borders
It was a special token of gratitude 10 years in the making. For her pioneering efforts to promote dual language immersion in Utah, Canyons District’s Ofelia Wade was invited by Spanish Ambassador Santiago Cabanas to attend a ceremony at the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C. to receive the prestigious Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio award. The award is often bestowed by the King of Spain in his home country, but alternate arrangements were made in this case to accommodate Wade’s location in the United States. Wade serves as the Dual Language Immersion Spanish Coordinator for Canyons District and the state of Utah. The Civil Order of Alfonxo X the Wise award is a rare honor reserved for those who have made exceptional achievements in education, science, culture, teaching or research. For Wade, it’s validation of Canyons’ important work to build a strong relationship between Canyons’ Dual Language Immersion Program and the Spanish Embassy. “We have worked very hard to create a welcoming and facilitative environment for our international teachers to come and bring their very best in terms of language and culture for our students,” Wade says. “(This award) is a reflection of the collaborative work we do here to benefit our students and facilitate a wonderful, professional growing experience for our international teachers.” Wade was only one of two people in the United States in 2019 to receive the Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio cross.
Global Influence: Educators Without Borders
Not only did Canyons District’s Janet Goble serve as Vice President of the national Association for Career and Technical Education, she was invited to testify before Congress about the need to expand learning opportunities for instilling within students the skills needed to succeed in today’s labor market. She also brought with her a little star power: Mike Rowe, the host of the host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.” As Canyons’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, Goble has always been a champion of the skilled trades and skilled workers. Canyons offers multiple CTE programs through which students can earn college credit on the path to becoming diesel mechanics, nurses, video game designers, biotechnology entrepreneurs, and more. You can read her full testimony here.
Global Influence: Educators Without Borders
It could be said these three Canyons District teachers have the “right stuff,” because they were chosen to go where few have gone before. Hillcrest High’s Clief Castleton, Corner Canyon High’s Milo Maughan, and Draper Park Middle’s Jenn Muir are among a select number of the nation’s teachers chosen to be NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors. The teacher-training program includes a flight to the stratosphere on the world’s largest flying observatory. The ambassador program is sponsored by the SETI Institute and was created to bolster U.S. student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math. Castleton, Maughan, and Muir were selected via a competitive application process, which is open to teachers in school districts that have established AAA partnerships with the institute, located in the Silicon Valley close to the NASA Ames Research Center. To qualify to be an ambassador, educators must have taught at least three years and have experience teaching physical science, earth and space science, astronomy, astrobiology, or integrated science. Ambassadors also receive curriculum and equipment to heighten the classroom experience after they return from the immersive training experience.
Global Influence: Educators Without Borders
If you can name that tune, Sharee Jorgensen has taught it. Canyons District’s performing arts specialist has been a music educator for 42 years, starting out in band, choir, guitar, and theater classrooms before rising to District, state, and national leadership roles. A fierce champion of the fine and performing arts, she has fought to expand learning opportunities for students in Canyons and throughout Utah, whether serving as executive director of the Utah Music Educators Association, a judge at a local arts competition or concert choir emcee, Chair of the Council of State Executives for the National Association for Music Education, or the site manager for the “World’s Largest Concert” in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Tabernacle. She has received numerous awards for her years of arts advocacy, culminating with her being named the 2022 Outstanding Music Educator for the Western Region by the Utah Music Educators Association and National Federation of State High School Associations.
If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added: “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!
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