resources

Supports

Getting Involved

Tools

Resources

Leadership

About

Getting Involved

‘Fired up’ new employees welcomed to District at Canyons’ traditional BBQ event

“Fired up!” wasn’t the official theme of the 2022 “Team CSD” New Employee BBQ on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at Alta High, but it could have been.

Grills were fired up to cook hot dogs for the large gathering of new employees and their families. Principals, District administrators and Board members were fired up to meet and greet 200-plus educators and Education Support Professionals who joined Canyons over the summer. The guests of honor — CSD’s recently hired employees — were also fired up to attend this party. They’re even more fired up to get the 2022-2023 school year under way.

“I’m so excited!” exclaimed Riley Howell, a recent Utah State graduate who will teach fourth grade at East Midvale Elementary. “I’m looking forward to just making a difference and at the end of the day feeling fulfilled. Children, they’re my favorite people to be with. They have so much wonder and so much inspiration. I just want to be able to help them feel comfortable and feel like they have a voice and they can express themselves. … I’m just excited to meet them. I want to meet them so bad.”

This is the second year the CSD Board of Education, Administration and Canyons Education Foundation has teamed up to sponsor a special BBQ party to welcome new recruits. Corner Canyon High cheerleaders greeted newcomers as they entered the special event on a red carpet on the Alta High track. The Hawks’ celebrated drumline started the night off with a big bang as the first entrants arrived. In addition, there were vendor booths with samples and prizes. Employees and their guests were treated to hot dogs, chips, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and bottles of water.

Howell, like other new employees, was all smiles at the party, which took place after three days of teacher training sessions.

“Canyons District treats their teachers so well and wants them to be super prepared and just ready and comfortable,” Howell said. “I feel like everyone’s really welcome.”

Ed Barney and his significant other got the party started Wednesday night as the first to walk down the red carpet. Barney had taken some time off after teaching at the college level for 13 years, and he’s raring to help students in his new position teaching medical assisting at the Canyons Technical Education Center. The one-year course covers anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, lab processing, and health science.

“It looked like fun,” Barney said. “I saw (the job opening) online and thought, ‘Why not?’ I enjoy teaching. I kind of missed it.”

Javier Azcaarate-Ayarra was among the enthusiastic group of new Dual Language Immersion teachers who are joining Canyons District from around the world. He relocated to Utah from Pamplona, Spain, for a position as the Spanish-speaking DLI teacher at Alta View Elementary.

The Spanish teacher wasn’t too familiar with Utah prior to being hired by Canyons, but he was impressed with the District’s superb DLI program, which has a terrific reputation around the world. He’s been blown away by the welcome the DLI teachers have received by the District.

“I’m really happy, excited, motivated,” Azcaarate-Ayarra said. “It’s a challenge, I know, but we’ll try to do our best as teachers. It’s worth coming here.”

Share This Post

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

1 2 3 16