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Thank You, CSD’s ESPs! Our Education Support Professionals are Second to None

If you’ve been around education, it’s likely you’ve heard the acronym ESP in conversations. In this context, ESP is not referring to a sixth sense. It’s not related to the sports network ESPN, either.

In the education world, ESPs are all of the non-licensed employees who help students, teachers and administrators succeed at school. The acronym is short for Education Support Professionals. You know them as bus drivers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, custodians, plumbers, electricians, IT personnel, nutrition staff, teachers aides, HR employees and so forth.

Canyons employees around 4,400 ESPs, who help the District click while performing a labor of love.

“Our ESPs, they are here. They are dedicated, they’re loyal, they’re working their hearts out,” said Everett Perry, CSD’s HR Administrator over ESPs. “They’re helping these kids.”

Perry has been with Canyons before it officially opened in 2009. He was the 23rd employee hired by the fledgling school district, which has blossomed since becoming the first new District in Utah in nearly a century. Perry’s job now involves hiring ESPs and helping to enhance their work experiences to assist our teachers in helping students become college- and career-ready by graduation.

Canyons District is home to some of Utah’s top Education Support Professionals.  Earlier this month, Diamond Ridge High head secretary Suzanne Hales was honored by the Utah Governor’s Office with the 2022-2023 U-RISE Award.  This honor is for up to two outstanding Education Support Professionals in Utah annually. Hales will represent the state as a nominee for the U.S. Department of Education’s national RISE award.

Debra Ward-Mitchell, the 2022 NEA ESP of the Year, said it well on behalf of ESPs everywhere: “As paraeducators, custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, and other ESPs, we give our all. We give our all in service to our fellow educators, students, and our communities.”

In this week’s episode of Connect Canyons, Perry shared a message of gratitude to ESPs leading up to the nationwide Education Support Professionals Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16. CSD’s ESPs will receive treats from the District’s Nutrition Department as a token of appreciation.

“Thank you for you all that you do,” Perry said. “We recognize that we can’t function without you. We want to give you a true shoutout and good applause.”

The Canyons Board of Education also made a resolution in honor of the District’s ESPs, which was shared during Tuesday’s Board meeting.

“Whereas, public schools are vital to the future of our community’s children, the strength of our democracy, and the continuation of America’s role as a global leader; and

“Whereas, as part of American Education Week, a National Education Support Personnel Day has been celebrated since 1987 ; and

“Whereas, a 2020 House Concurrent Resolution approved during the General Session of the Utah Legislature designated the Wednesday during the week that precedes the Thanksgiving holiday as "Utah Education Support Professionals Day;” and

“Whereas, the day honors the contributions Education Support Professionals play in creating and maintaining clean, secure, prepared, and welcoming public schools for every Canyons student; and

“Whereas, Education Support Professionals in Canyons District have been at the forefront of ensuring schools remained operational, even during the upheaval of a worldwide pandemic with vast local implications; and

“Whereas, Canyons District joins in celebrating National Education Support Professional Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, and honors the endeavors undertaken by CSD’s Information Technology professionals, custodians, administrative assistants, office staff, business managers, instructional aides, bus drivers, nutrition service workers, school nurses, maintenance workers, and so many others; and

“Now, therefore, I, Nancy Tingey, speaking on behalf of the Canyons Board of Education, recognize Nov. 16, 2022 as Education Support Professionals Day, and acknowledge the importance of the work done by Education Support Professionals in Canyons School District.”
-Nancy Tingey, Canyons Board of Education President

Have a neat story about an ESP in Canyons District? Please share with us via social media and/or via email at communications@canyonsdistrict.org.

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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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