To be a teacher during a pandemic is to be on the front lines of the battle to safeguard the health and heart of the future.

In this unprecedented era of COVID-19 — marked by hours of Google Meets, constant updates to Canvas pages, strained voices to be heard from behind a mask, and the application hand-sanitizer dozens of times a day — has heightened the importance of daily high-quality instruction by a highly-qualified teacher.  

Now more than ever, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are committed to honoring the many ways educators are touching the lives of students even as they maintain a safe physical distance. The COVID-19-related restriction on mass gatherings won’t stop Canyons from announcing and applauding a Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Starting today, the Canyons community can submit nominations for a new Teacher of the Year.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Access the nomination form
• Complete the form on why you think your nominee should be recognized. Print and submit the form to your school’s PTA leaders, or, if you are a school employee, to the principal, by March 5. The School Selection Committee will consider nominees forwarded by the PTA and employees.
• Watch for social media posts featuring the March 29-April 2 Teacher of the Year surprise announcement at your child’s school.
• Watch the Tuesday, April 20 ceremony to hear which CSD teacher was selected for their commitment, innovation, and leadership. 

While the pandemic has changed the world, the process CSD will follow to select the District’s top teacher remains the same: Following the public-nomination window during which parents, students, community partners and employees can submit names for consideration, Canyons District recognizes a Teacher of the Year at CSD schools and programs.

Nearly 50 educators are applauded for their outstanding instructional practices, positive engagement with parents, and professional approach to their craft.

New this year: For the first time, Canyons will give a top-teacher award to an educator who teaches an all-online class. Several dozen Canyons teachers this year are providing top-notch instruction to elementary students who are enrolled in online-only classes, an option provided to Canyons students who prefer to learn from remote locations during the pandemic.  

From the field of top teachers from the schools and programs, the District selects one teacher to represent Canyons in the state top-teacher competition. That educator also will receive the 2021 Apex Award for Teacher of the Year, the highest honor given to teachers by the Canyons Board of Education. 

For the third year, the Canyons Board and Administration will announce three finalists — one teacher the elementary, middle and high school levels. One of those three will be named the District’s top teacher.

Every school-based Teacher of the Year will receive a basket of donated gifts and a banner to hang at their school. The Canyons District Teacher of the Year program is generously supported by local businesses and the Canyons Education Foundation. 

Canyons’ 2020 Teacher of the Year, Eastmont Middle’s Emma Moss, was named a runner-up in the state’s selection process.  

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.