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CSD Begins Taking Nominations for 2023 Teacher of the Year

It has been said the influence of a great teacher can never be erased. Even as old fashioned chalkboards are eschewed in favor of hand-held digital devices, the mark of a stellar teacher, like the memory of a A-plus grade written in red grease pencil atop a turned-in assignment, lasts for decades, if not a lifetime.

The commitment and contributions of Canyons teachers, regardless of the classes or grades they teach,  are celebrated every spring when CSD schools honors educators at all District schools and programs. This year is no different — and parents, students, patrons, and employees are invited to submit nominations for CSD’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, an honor that will be announced in April.

Nominations will be accepted via the online nomination tool until 5 p.m. on Feb. 6.

Here’s how you can help CSD select the 2023 Teacher of the Year:

  • Access the nomination form
  • Complete the form on why you think your nominee should be recognized.  The online nomination form will be sent to the principal where the nominated teacher works. The forms will then be reviewed by the School Community Council chair, the PTA/PTSA President, and an Education Support Professional representative. This group will select the school’s winner.
  • Watch for social media posts featuring the March 29-31 Teacher of the Year surprise announcement at the schools and programs.
  • Attend or watch the live-stream of the Tuesday, April 25 ceremony to hear which CSD teacher was selected for her or his commitment to student achievement, innovation, and leadership. The time and location of the announcement ceremony will be made public in the coming weeks.

An evaluation process helps narrow the list to a group of semifinalists. From that field, three finalists are selected — one from the elementary level, another from the middle schools, and one from the high school ranks of educators.

One of the three finalists is then selected to represent Canyons in the state Teacher of the Year contest. The winning educator also will receive the 2023 Apex Award for Teacher of the Year, the highest honor given to teachers by the Canyons Board of Education and Administration.

Every school-based Teacher of the Year will receive gifts, prizes, and a $250 gift card and a cooler backpack from the Canyons Education Foundation.

The Canyons District Teacher of the Year program is generously supported by local businesses and the Canyons Education Foundation, which also provides $500 cash prizes for each finalist. The overall Teacher of the Year receives an additional $500 from the Foundation and its partners.

CSD’s top teacher in 2022 was Draper Elementary’s Katie Tinoco. In 2021, CSD honored Alta High’s Traci Raymond. Eastmont Middle’s Emma Moss won the award in 2020.

Midvale Elementary teacher Jessica Beus was Canyons’ Teacher of the Year in 2019. In 2018, Corner Canyon High’s Amber Rogers, received the cash prize from the Canyons Education Foundation. Previous CSD Teacher of the Year winners include Union Middle’s Drew Fosse, Peruvian Park Elementary’s Gretchen Murray, Alta High’s Matt Leininger, Brookwood Elementary’s Monica Rotermund, Sprucewood Elementary’s Michele Law, Eastmont Middle’s Amy Bateman, Quail Hollow’ Elementary’s Naomi Damron, and Brighton High’s Barb Scrafford.

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Board Meeting Schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Education for Canyons School District will hold a regular study session and public business meeting at the Canyons District Office building, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, UT each month unless otherwise posted. The Board may determine to conduct some business during a study session. All business meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. unless changed by the Board and appropriately posted for the public.

Please note that ALL DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS listed on this scheduled are TENTATIVE and are subject to change at any time.  Please check this schedule often to be informed of any changes.

Unless otherwise specified, all meetings in the schedule below will take place as the Canyons District Office located at 9361 S. 300 E. in Sandy, Utah.

District Leaders

Dr. Rick Robins

Superintendent

Dr. Rick L. Robins is the superintendent of Canyons School District. Dr. Robins, who was selected by the Canyons Board of Education after a national search, brings 24 years of experience as an educator to his role as the chief executive officer of Utah’s fifth-largest school district. Prior to joining Canyons, Dr. Robins, who earned an Ed.D. from the University of Las Vegas, for six years was Superintendent of the Juab School District, based in Nephi, Utah. While there, Dr. Robins, who also was the Juab High School Principal from 2009-2013, helped oversee efforts to improve the district’s graduation rate to 97 percent, a double-digit increase over a 10-year period. Other innovations he led in Juab included a partnership with Arizona State University for blended-learning opportunities; the launch of a districtwide competency-based personalized learning model driven by a 1:1 technology initiative and standards-based reporting system; and the construction of the STEM-focused West Campus Innovations Center, funded largely through private and corporate sponsorships. Dr. Robins began his career as a history teacher at Copper Hills High in the Jordan School District and has worked as an assistant principal and principal in the Alpine, Nebo and Juab school districts. He was the 2012 Utah High School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, and in 2014 earned the Lexington Institute Superintendent Fellowship Award presented to innovative superintendents across the country. Dr. Robins was starting quarterback for the football team at Southern Utah University Thunderbirds from 1991-1995, and in 2013 was inducted into SUU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He has four children and one grandchild.

Leon Wilcox

Business Administrator and CFO

Leon Wilcox is a seasoned professional with 20 years of governmental accounting experience, with an emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing. As Canyons District’ Director of Accounting from 2009-2013, Wilcox was intricately involved with the 2009 division of $1.5 billion in assets of the former Jordan School District, and was responsible for establishing Canyons’ original and subsequent budgets. Wilcox, a certified public accountant who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Utah State University, also has worked nine years in the Granite School District and six years in the State Auditor’s Office.

Supervises:  Accounting and Budget Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Insurance, New Construction Budget, Nutrition Services, Purchasing, Payroll

Dr. Robert M. Dowdle

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance

Robert Dowdle has a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, and more than 31 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader. He began his career at Mount Jordan Middle School, where he taught Earth Science, English and Social Studies. He later taught Advanced Placement Economics, U.S. History and World History at Bingham High School, and served as Principal of Jordan High School and Assistant Principal for Alta High School and Brighton High School. Dowdle has served in the District office for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent. This role has included various leadership responsibilities, including Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Dowdle currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance.

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

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!

Specialty Schools

High Schools

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org

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