Teacher of the Year 2026 - Canyons School District

2026 Teachers of the Year

“Let us remember,” said Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, “one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.” The lives of Canyons District students are positively affected every day by our corps of caring and more-than-capable teachers. From algebra to the art of motorcycle maintenance, Canyons District teachers lead the kind of lessons that will build up and strengthen the next generation of global leaders, innovators, and artists. Per tradition, CSD is honoring teachers from across CSD for their dedication to making sure students graduate college- and career-ready. One teacher from every Canyons District school and program has been selected as their schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2026. All these amazing educators were nominated for the honor by peers, parents, and pupils. In all, CSD received some 6,000 nominations — a record in the 16-year history of CSD’s Teacher of the Year selection process. From this field, Canyons will select one teacher who will be honored as the overall Teacher of the Year and serve as CSD’s nominee in the state top-teacher competition. The CSD honor will be announced at a special event, sponsored by the Canyons Board of Education and the Canyons Education Foundation, on Tuesday, April 21 at Union Middle, 615 East 8000 South. A reception will begin at 6:15 p.m. The announcement ceremony, during which every honored teacher will receive an award from the Canyons Board of Education, starts at 7 p.m. The Canyons community is invited to the free event on April 21 at Union Middle to celebrate the positive impacts our teachers make in the world. Click on the photo to find out more about each 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
Other Programs

Elementary Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
Other Programs

Elementary Schools

Aleisha
Boehm

Alta View

Aleisha Boehm

Alta View

“One in a million.” That’s just one of the bright phrases used to describe Alta View fourth-grade teacher Aleisha Boehm. She sees students as a whole person, individualizing instruction to help them feel confident. Her classroom is touted as being nurturing and a true example of a happy, productive learning environment. Boehm builds meaningful relationships with her students and helps them to thrive socially and academically. “Ms. Boehm consistently looks for the good in every child, highlights their strengths and potential, and motivates them to grow and improve,” said one nomination letter for the Teacher of the Year honor. Instead of saying the best part about the school day is recess or lunch, Boehm’s students tell their parents about her class.

Andres
Laureano

Altara

Andres Laureano

Altara

Andres Laureano joined the Altara community in 2021 after moving to Utah from Peru. In just a few years, Laureano has developed a reputation as a kind, engaging, and patient first-grade teacher. Parents of estudiantes in Laureano’s class often receive messages from him that highlight their student’s classroom achievements. Whether he’s teaching children to add or subtract to learn even the simplest Spanish language skills, Laureano goes above and beyond for his students. He even incorporates guitar-playing into his lessons and gives up his own lunch time to play soccer on the playground.

Morgan
Wilson

Bella Vista

Morgan Wilson

Bella Vista

If someone is needed to collaborate on a plan to help students at Bella Vista, many turn automatically to Morgan Wilson. As an ABS teacher, Wilson shows patience and determination as she works with students who need extra attention. Her colleagues recognize her dedication to using data to ensure positive outcomes for her students while being a strong leader in the school community. Her positive attitude is contagious among her fellow Tigers. As one nominee put it, Ms. Wilson is, “a deeply dedicated educator who consistently prioritizes meeting the needs of her students both behaviorally and academically.”

Katie
Chapman

Brookwood

Katie Chapman

Brookwood

In the whirlwind that blows through all elementary schools, Brookwood second-grade teacher Katie Chapman is the calm in the storm. She is an educator who does not seek the spotlight as she quietly and kindly offers support and leadership to her students and fellow teachers. “She has a unique ability to foster an incredible classroom climate where students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn,” said one Brookwood colleague. Her “standout quality” is her commitment to the whole child. She focuses not just on academic benchmarks but also her students’ social and emotional well-being with individually targeted support and consistent follow-through. Chapman is “an exceptional educator, a valued colleague, and a shining example of what it means to be a champion for students.”

Alexandre
Urien

Butler

Alexandre Urien

Butler

It is clearly l’adoration that Alexandre “Alex” Urien’s students feel for him at Butler Elementary. Parents and colleagues heap praise on Urien’s care and enthusiasm for teaching French immersion first-grade math. “Monsieur Urien is a constant source of stability, positivity, and joy in our daughter’s learning,” one parent said. Others said he embodies Canyons District’s high standards of educational excellence. “He has a unique gift for making complex subjects accessible and fun. It is no surprise that he is adored by students and parents alike.” Yet another parent says: “We appreciate Mr. Urien and he deserves all the recognition he can get. He is truly a wonderful person and educator! Merci beaucoup!”

Michelle
Fisher

Canyon View

Michelle Fisher

Canyon View

Being a kindergarten teacher takes a special kind of person — and Michelle Fisher is the best of the best. That’s the kind of high praise from colleagues, parents and even a former student that Canyon View’s Fisher received in nominations for Teacher of the Year. “I think she is the most wonderful teacher I have ever had,” a former student said. A parent said Fisher teaches real-life lessons. In a nomination, the parents wrote that she teaches students “how to be a kind and caring community member, how to speak respectfully about things they don’t like or situations they don’t agree with.” Fisher is also always up for some fun, like taking pies in the face at a school fundraiser. A parent concluded a nomination letter with: “She really is the best, and totally deserves to win Teacher of the Year!”

Molly
Briesath

Copperview

Molly Briesath

Copperview

There’s going the extra mile, and then there’s “always going the extra mile,” as one parent said of Copperview’s Molly Briesath. “My daughter was bullied in school and I never knew about it until Ms. Briesath personally contacted me. …Her daily checklist of how my daughter’s day went, as well as the kid that bullied my daughter, brought so much peace and comfort to my Mom heart.” A colleague said Briesath “tries to make learning engaging by adding in art and having students draw and write. As a coworker she is extremely hard working and collaborative.” A parent writing her nomination in Spanish said Briesath “undoubtedly deserves recognition as the best. … Thank you so much for everything you do for the children.”

Maggie
Johnston

Crescent

Maggie Johnston

Crescent

It’s not every teacher who has students jumping for joy when they discover they’ve been assigned to her class. But Crescent’s Maggie Johnston is one of them. “When I found out I was in her class I squealed and was jumping up and down,” said a former student. “She is the most kind and loving teacher I have ever met!” A parent said Johnston introduced a new approach to math that finally “clicked” for her daughter. “Her ability to make learning fun, maintain a positive attitude and encourage students in meaningful ways truly sets her apart.” That praise is echoed in another nomination letter: “She cares deeply about each student and inspires them to strive for improvement. She is one of a kind and will help so many students throughout her life!”

Suzanne
Mackey

Draper

Suzanne Mackey

Draper

It’s not always easy connecting with kids, especially while teaching fifth-grade math. But Suzanne Mackey does that each day at Draper Elementary. “She is data-driven and holds her students to high expectations, but she leads with care and her students feel it,” one nomination letter said. From early-morning personal tutoring before school, to creating lessons tailored to student learning, Mackey makes students feel valued and supported. Draper Elementary usually aims for 85 percent proficiency in a key math indicator by the end of the year but this year, its fifth-graders hit that at the mid-year mark. Said one nomination letter: “She exemplifies the very best of teaching, and her commitment to equity and excellence makes her a truly deserving candidate for Teacher of the Year.”

Madeline
Williams

East Midvale

Madeline Williams

East Midvale

Yes, all teachers teach. But some, like Madeline Williams, change lives. Those who work with her at East Midvale say that in addition to core subjects, she teaches her students life lessons on self-love, positivity, strength and perseverance. Williams shows students she cares for them individually by creating materials that make learning fun for all of them, from the highest achievers to those who struggle to meet expectations. She’s been known to follow the progress of students as they move on to upper grade levels. One parent said, “She still checks in with me and my child she taught last year and makes sure we’re doing OK.” One of her colleagues summed up Williams, saying she doesn’t just teach, “she changes lives.”

Kayla
Kelsey

East Sandy

Kayla Kelsey

East Sandy

Well, one thing we know about East Sandy’s Kayla Kelsey is that at least one of her students really likes her dog and cat. But it’s Kelsey’s sunshiny caring and teaching methods that make her adored — not just liked — by parents and students alike. Starting kindergarten can be scary. “But she made me feel so happy when I first came into her classroom,” one student said. A colleague said Kelsey’s students have made amazing growth in all areas. “It is clear how much time, effort and care she puts into her teaching.” Another said Kelsey “is truly deserving of this award, and there is no better year than this one for her to be recognized as the incredible teacher and person she is.”

Jill
DeLuco

Glacier Hills

Jill DeLuco

Glacier Hills

Glacier Hills’ Jill DeLuco has mastered the art of handling a hard situation with a soft touch. “My son can be a very challenging child, and instead of giving up on him or labeling him, Mrs. DeLuco consistently meets him with understanding and compassion,” one parent said in a nomination for the top-teacher honor. A colleague said this of DeLuco: “Even when a student’s needs are hard to meet, she calmly keeps trying to find a way to help them.” And then there’s the classroom talk about cactus, which was mentioned in multiple nomination letters for her Teacher of the Year award. “She shares tidbits of her life from when she was a kid that engages the students. My son now loves cacti and all things desert due to her sharing things from her life in Arizona. … Her students love her and it shows.”

Angie
Simmons

Granite

Angie Simmons

Granite

Angie Simmons is an excellent teacher. Her kindergarten students consistently make impressive academic gains as a result of her thoughtful instruction. But that’s just part of her story. “She emanates gentleness, understanding and safety,” one parent said. She can hold a crying student while continuing to teach 16 other 5 year olds. Nomination letters consistently mention her patience and caring. “She loves all of her students and is always working on what is best for them.” Others echo the words of praise for Simmons: She’s known for supporting her students with patience, encouragement and genuine care. In a nutshell: “She is an incredible human being,” said one nomination letter, “and her students are truly lucky to have her in their lives.”

Diane
Hofheins

Lone Peak

Diane Hofheins

Lone Peak

Diane Hofheins receives praise not just from her kindergarten colleagues, she has a fan in first grade as well. “I can always tell what students came from her classroom when I get the first-graders each year,” says a colleague. “They come in knowing how to work, problem solve, play kindly with others, treat others with kindness, and they are always at or above benchmark academically.” A parent who is also a co-worker said Hofheins teaches with patience, compassion and creativity: “Mrs. Hofheins is unlike any teacher I have ever encountered. If we could all receive even a small portion of Mrs. Hofheins’ daily classroom message — the one that consistently reminds her students that they are loved and valued — we would all be better people for it.”

Sarah
Gonsur

Midvale

Sarah Gonsur

Midvale

Midvale’s Sarah Gonsur might not wear a cape, but she’s still a hero. “The growth I have seen in my daughter this year is all thanks to her support and guidance. Her enthusiasm and energy are infectious,” one parent said. “She is the best teacher, and my daughter has been so blessed to be in her class this year! Heroes don’t wear capes—teachers like Mrs. Gonsur do!” In a nomination, one colleague said Gonsur’s “joyful spirit, warm smile and encouraging words create an environment where students and colleagues feel welcomed, supported and motivated. She has a unique ability to brighten even the most challenging days, reminding everyone around her why this work matters.”

Sadie
Yeager

Midvalley

Sadie Yeager

Midvalley

“HAVE YOU SEEN HER ROOM?” One nomination virtually yelled that in praising the classroom environment Midvalley’s Sadie Yeager has created for her kindergarteners. She spends extra time preparing engaging lessons and creating a warm and welcoming classroom in which each child feels a sense of belonging. “This teacher consistently puts students first, combining compassion, high expectations, and a genuine love for teaching to make a meaningful difference every day,” said one nomination letter. Another said, “She doesn’t just teach kindergarten. She lays the foundation for a lifelong love of school. For her dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to her students, Sadie is truly deserving of being named Teacher of the Year.” Another nomination summed it up pretty concisely. “Best teacher ever!”

Holly
Sorenson

Oak Hollow

Holly Sorenson

Oak Hollow

Often, while most other teachers take a break from their students in the faculty lounge at lunchtime, Oak Hollow’s Holly Sorenson heads to the cafeteria to sit and engage with her students. It’s just one example of how she goes above and beyond. “Holly is an amazing teacher. She really cares about each of her students and has such a kind heart. She is both dynamic and analytical in her teaching approach and this helps her meet her teaching objectives and create optimal conditions for student growth,” a colleague said in a nomination for the Teacher of the Year honor. Another said Sorenson is genuine and a team player with a vocabulary that always lifts those around her. “She only uses lifegiving words and responses to children and adults alike” — sometimes in the cafeteria!

Sydnee
Yates

Oakdale

Sydnee Yates

Oakdale

Sydnee Yates is one of those boomerang teachers. While she holds her students to high academic standards before sending them on to middle school, she does it by making learning creative and fun. So fun, in fact, that her former students return to Oakdale to visit her. One parent said Yates personally advocated for her son regarding his RISE assessment writing score, knowing he’s a better writer than the score indicated. That exemplified “her unwavering belief in her students and her commitment to fairness and accuracy.” A colleague said that “from wax museum, BizTown, the news, peer leadership, junior coaching, mall days and other special events, every student in her class is so lucky to have her!”

Gioconda
Velez

Park Lane

Gioconda Velez

Park Lane

If she were to read the many tributes nominating her for Teacher of the Year, special education teacher Gioconda Velez might blush. “Ms. Velez is the kind of teacher who changes the entire trajectory of a child’s life—not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well,” wrote one person. Said another: “Ms. Velez is not just deserving of Teacher of the Year—she is exactly what this award is meant to honor.” Yet another nomination talked of her “fierce love and protection over her students.” Another tells of her pitching in outside the classroom to teach the staff a dance or create a music video. “Ms. Velez has never received Teacher of the Year, and, honestly … it’s time.”

Melinda
Sharma

Peruvian Park

Melinda Sharma

Peruvian Park

She may not wear a magician’s top hat or cape, but Peruvian Park’s Melinda Sharma still creates magic for her kindergarteners. “Over the years I’ve heard parents praise her,” one parent said, “and now that I have a kindergartner in her class I can see why she’s been called magical!” A colleague echoed that sentiment, saying Sharma “makes every day in kindergarten feel magical,” teaching not only academics, but also how to behave, how to be kind and how to be part of a community. One parent said Sharma was a “light out of the dark” for her daughter who is now coming along “in leaps and bounds.” A colleague said Sharma’s “impact on her students and families is lasting, and she is deeply deserving of Teacher of the Year.”

Hannah
Charlton

Quail Hollow

Hannah Charlton

Quail Hollow

As one parent explained it, Quail Hollow’s Hannah Charlton “is the whole package.” “She combines high expectations with warmth, patience, and a deep understanding of her students. She knows exactly how to meet them where they are, and helps concepts stick. Our son feels seen, encouraged, and believed in, and that has made all the difference.” Her influence is admired outside her first-grade classroom, as well. She’s not afraid to get involved in the school community and volunteered to coach the Girls on the Run program for many seasons. A colleague said her out-of-state teaching experience brings a fresh perspective: “She works so hard every day and deserves to be recognized!”

Rebecca
Adamson

Ridgecrest

Rebecca Adamson

Ridgecrest

Rebecca Adamson is a bit of a drama queen at Ridgecrest. But in this context, that’s a good thing. Adamson expertly balances fun, humor and academic rigor, all while managing the school’s fledgling drama program. Students in the upper grades are given the opportunity to participate in theater, and it positively impacts their schoolwork. One nomination letter said, “Not only is Ms. Adamson a fantastic teacher academically, she is also an exceptional advocate for her students as they enter the challenging time of adolescence. … She shows what it means to be a caring, thoughtful member of society. Most importantly, she inspires a love of learning in her students. I believe that she is deeply deserving of recognition as Teacher of the Year.”

Michelle
Alejandre

Sandy

Michelle Alejandre

Sandy

“She’s the best.” It’s as simple as that. Michelle Alejandre is praised by parents and colleagues alike at Sandy Elementary. A parent who volunteers in her class calls Alejandre “inspiring” and said she manages the classroom with a calm and loving tone. “She helped my first-grader feel comfortable and safe as she began the school year later in the year and made sure to create a buddy system for my daughter to help her make friends.” Alejandre has taken on multiple grade levels and has exceeded expectations in both. A colleague wrote, “Mrs. Alejandre has worked extremely hard to create the kind of culture in her classroom that we aspire to here at Sandy Elementary. Her hard work should be recognized and celebrated. Shark it!!”

Lisa
Hayes

Silver Mesa

Lisa Hayes

Silver Mesa

Silver Mesa students have a fierce champion in Lisa Hayes, the accommodated core teacher for fourth and fifth grades. A colleague said Hayes is “masterful” at allowing for accommodations while pushing students to be more rigorous in their learning. “She’s a fierce advocate for students.” Another said she puts in a “200 percent” effort and, as a life-long learner, takes what she knows into her classroom to benefit her students. “She makes learning fun as well as educational for her students,” another colleague said. “She goes out of her way to help students feel included in the school. She is a champion for those who are the underdog.”

Lauren
Crowe

Sprucewood

Lauren Crowe

Sprucewood

Lauren Crowe has been at Sprucewood for only a few years “but she has quickly become a crowd favorite,” said one nomination for the Teacher of the Year honor. She brings fun, happiness, compassion and genuine care for students and colleagues into all she does. “She has helped my daughter feel truly loved and accepted in her classroom, creating an environment where she feels safe, valued and confident,” said a parent who is also a colleague. “Her kindness, dedication and positive impact make her highly deserving of this recognition.” Crowe’s third-graders second that: “She’s the best teacher in the whole world! She’s so kind and teaches very well! Best teacher I’ve had and made my elementary experience better!”

Sage
Gautavai

Sunrise

Sage Gautavai

Sunrise

It seems Sage Gautavai doesn’t take much time off from being a third-grade teacher at Sunrise Elementary. Several letters nominating her for Teacher of the Year talk about how she shows up at her students’ extracurricular activities, often with flowers, candy and hugs. “Ms. Gautavai doesn’t just teach. She shows up, she supports, and she makes a lasting difference in her students’ lives.” This school year her class included several students who had previously been the subject of complaints and concerns. “Instead of seeing problems, she saw potential. …Through patience, structure, and genuine care, she created an environment where those same students began to thrive.” One parent said Gautavai may be a young teacher, “but she has mastered what it takes to be excellent at the world’s hardest job.”

Shelly
Christensen

Willow Canyon

Shelly Christensen

Willow Canyon

What sets Shelly Christensen apart is not her dominating presence on the Willow Canyon faculty’s Pickleball court. It’s her perfect balance of high expectations and heartfelt nurture. She challenges Willow Canyon second-graders to rise while giving them the support and confidence to believe they can, said one parent. “Her care does not stop at the classroom door. During one of my son’s hospitalizations, she took the time to visit him. That act of kindness meant more to our family than words can express.” Christensen is retiring this year, to the sorrow of another parent who had two other children taught by her. “We are honestly heartbroken that our third child won’t have the chance to experience her teaching, as she truly represents the ‘gold standard’ of educators.”

Morgan
Hanson

Willow Springs

Morgan Hanson

Willow Springs

“Tag me in.” One parent nominating Morgan Hanson for Teacher of the Year said that simple phase — in a note Hanson sent to all her students and parents before they returned from winter break — shows she understands the weight of a parent’s trust. “I can’t even wait to see my tiniest best friends tomorrow!! … I’m excited for you to tag me in and let me have a turn with your babies tomorrow,” Hanson told parents in the message. Another parent said Hanson is more than an educator. “She is a foundational figure in our children’s lives.” Hanson is also a trusted team player. “Her reliability, kindness, and uplifting presence make her the kind of educator every school hopes to have on staff,” a colleague said. “Willow Springs is a better place because of Morgan Hanson.”

Middle Schools

Cory
Christianson

Albion Middle

Cory Christianson

Albion Middle

When more than one student reports disliking English class until one teacher changed their perspective, you know something special is happening in the classroom. Albion Middle students could write essays full of appreciative words for their English Language Arts teacher, Cory Christianson. The students in “Mr. C’s” classes say it’s near impossible to keep from laughing in his class. He wears fun ties and brings in donuts and candy as a reward for good work. While patient, Christianson holds students to a high standard, prompting them with questions until it’s apparent the lesson was learned. This much is true: The Knights say their days are made better by Mr. C.

Andrew
Otto

Butler Middle

Andrew Otto

Butler Middle

“Mr. Otto makes history come to life.” That’s high praise, indeed, for any social studies teacher—and it’s what more than one of Andrew Otto’s students said in a nomination for the Teacher of the Year honor. Students say Otto’s classes are captivating and enjoyable and colleagues appreciate his teaching strategies, including how he personalizes every class. Students enjoy his sense of humor and fun as he leads them in activities that dispense lessons about world events. In a nomination, one student said this about Otto’s class: “This teacher is fun but keeps us engaged. I have learned a lot in his class and I like him a lot.”

Cami
Aley

Draper Park Middle

Cami Aley

Draper Park Middle

Not many teachers will come to school dressed up as George Washington to engage their students. But Draper Park social studies teacher Cami Aley doesn’t hesitate to lead classes of Vikings while dressed as a Founding Father. Aley’s Draper Park colleagues say her fun and professional attitude is infectious and her dedication to students is unparalleled. As one colleague put it: “Cami Aley’s greatest strength is her ability to balance excellent teaching of content with genuine care and concern for her students. Her room is a safe, warm place where students feel welcome.”

Mark
Snow

Eastmont Middle

Mark Snow

Eastmont Middle

Ask the faculty and staff at Eastmont and they’ll tell you: Mark Snow isn’t just a Career and Technical Education teacher. He’s a team player. Snow is known for stepping up when it would be just as easy to step aside. He gives up his prep periods to cover a class or help a colleague with a lesson plan. Snow introduces AVID strategies in all his CTE classes, including woodworking, and is especially attentive to the needs of students on IEP or 504 plans. Says one colleague: “He accommodates, encourages them, and gives them high fives to motivate their efforts. He loves kids and wants them to have a great experience in his classroom.” In the after-school hours, Snow shows up for intramural sports, the Eastmont Engineer club and so much more.

Esther
Dowdle

Midvale Middle

Ester Dowdle

Midvale Middle

Ask any teacher and they’ll tell you that seeing a student experience the “a-ha” moment of finally grasping a concept is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. For Midvale Middle special education teacher Ester Dowdle, she feels that joy when her students successfully complete mathematics equations. Her students say she makes them feel seen and takes the time to work individually with them. Dowdle’s respect her — and she respects them in return. Her classroom is a safe, fun space where students sometimes enjoy free time when they’ve completed assignments early. One hoops-loving student paid Dowdle the ultimate compliment in a nomination for Teacher of the Year: Dowdle, he said, “is like LeBron. She’s the GOAT.”

Jordan
Fitzpatrick

Indian Hills Middle

Jordan Fitzpatrick

Indian Hills Middle

Nearly every Teacher of the Year nomination for Jordan Fitzpatrick contains some kind of a superlative: He’s the best. He’s the most helpful. He’s cool. And he’s unlike any teacher they’ve ever had. “‘Mr. Fitz’ always has a positive attitude,” said another student about being in Fitzpatrick’s class. “I like that he interacts with all his students and makes everyone feel welcome. His humor makes us all laugh. His lessons are really interesting and he makes it easy to understand.” In a professorial style of teaching, Fitzpatrick works hard to prepare his social studies students for high school. He encourages students to ask questions, be curious, and think critically. His students say they like the way he holds them accountable while also making them laugh. Fitzpatrick takes the time to make his students feel seen and heard. Said one student: “His class is the main reason I like going to school.”

Scott
Foglyano

Mount Jordan Middle

Scott Foglyano

Mount Jordan Middle

Compassionate, supportive, kind, and highly intentional are just a few phrases used to describe Mount Jordan’s English Language Arts teacher Scott Foglyano. Foglyano is known for his unwavering commitment when it comes to ensuring the success of his students. He even took the time outside of school to enroll in a Spanish course so he could converse with his students. He connects with his students, working with them one on one to make sure they all understand the day’s lessons. Every student in Foglyano’s classroom feels seen, heard, and valued. As one colleague wrote in a nomination, “Scott’s patience, leadership, and willingness to go the extra mile make him an exceptional educator and a powerful advocate for multilingual students.”

Jessica
Clark

Union Middle

Jessica Clark

Union Middle

No cap. You just know you’re slaying it when a middle school student calls you “chill.” That’s just one one of the shout outs that the Bobcats bestowed on science teacher Jessica Clark when they filled out Teacher of the Year nominations. Students appreciate how she makes sure her classroom is a positive and respectful environment where they feel encouraged to take risks. Students also think the hands-on learning labs are totally lit. It’s then they get to dissect cow eyes, frogs and engage in other interactive activities. Clark is a mentor to student teachers and supportive of all of her colleagues who see her as a model educator. One parent lauded Clark’s weekly progress reports: “This kind of consistent, purposeful communication strengthens the home-to-school connection and reflects a high level of professionalism.” To the students, this much is clear: Clark definitely understood the assignment.

High Schools

Bret
Thomas

Alta High

Bret Thomas

Alta High

The global-language students at Alta High might just say this about the Hawks’ Teacher of the Year: “Herr Thomas sind wunderbar!” Or for us non-German speakers, Mr. Thomas is simply wonderful. Students say Bret, who returned to his alma mater to teach, is lighthearted, approachable, and makes them feel comfortable taking risks and staying engaged. Even Hawks who have faced challenges in their education say he works with patience and care. Bret splits his time between the world language and mathematics departments, and when he’s not broadening young minds, he’s cheering for Alta students, no matter the activity. One day you might see him painting lines on the soccer field. The next day, he may be taking tickets at dances or athletic events. His willingness to serve, no matter the task, reflects a deep love for Alta and its students. More than a teacher, Bret is a symbol of what it means to be an Alta Hawk. His dedication, school spirit, and tireless efforts embody the very heart of the school. Simply put, Bret Thomas doesn’t just work at Alta High School—he is Alta High School.

Shan
Apolonio

Brighton High

Shan Apolonio

Brighton High

For nearly 15 years, Shan Apolonio has gone about teaching social studies to the Bengals in an unassuming way. Little does she know that she’s had a lasting impact on colleagues and students alike. Shan’s fellow educators say she is a master at managing her classroom and is able to win over even the toughest students in her class. Shan helped to establish Brighton’s PBIS system and, thanks to her good work, “Roar” reward cards are used in all parts of the school to celebrate student success and positive behavior. Shan may go about her day in a quiet manner, but her fellow Bengals are roaring about her success.

Ashley
Ekenstam

Corner Canyon High

Ashley Ekenstam

Corner Canyon High

Ashley Ekenstam is the kind of teacher you only ever hear good things about. Her colleagues, who see her working with students before and after school, tout her devotion. The Chargers in her classes say they can count on her to support them in their learning. One student said math was never a strong suit until they took Ashley’s class. Her students are grateful for the time she allows them to process a new method. One student says they will be forever grateful for Ashley as she goes out of her way to make sure every student has exactly what they need to grow, learn, and succeed.

Kelly
Bowen

Hillcrest High

Kelly Bowen

Hillcrest High

From students wishing she could be their college professor to saying that she makes Hillcrest a better place to be, the Huskies are not short in their praise for Kelly Bowen. Kelly’s ASL classes are fun, engaging, and full of energy and joy. Her colleagues see the positive impact she has on each of her students for whom she’s a fierce advocate. As one student wrote, “It seems as though her classrooms are thrifted clothes and her personality is a sewing machine making them perfectly tailored.”

Gretchen
Carr

Jordan High

Gretchen Carr

Jordan High

The Beetdiggers in Gretchen Carr’s classes likely will not soon forget the time they spent in her classroom. They’ll fondly remember her funny songs, costumes, and, of course, the lessons in chemistry that are preparing them for the rigors of college and careers. Her students respect her and she shows respect in return. Gretchen’s students leave her classroom feeling capable of doing hard things.They also know she pays attention to the small things, such as writing a birthday card for each of her students. In one nomination, one of her current students wrote: Gretchen “cares for her students and makes her classroom a safe, knowledge fostering space. She’s so kind and puts in so much work.”

Noelle
Viny

Diamond Ridge High

Noelle Viny

Jordan High

Diamond Ridge’s Noelle expects big things from her Diamond Ridge Raptors. It doesn’t matter to her how or why they decided to attend Canyons’ alternative high school — what matters is how they are preparing for life after graduation. She ensures her students have college and career goals in sight and helps them develop, write, and put finishing touches on personal statements, portfolios, and college applications. Viny also played an integral role in Diamond Ridge’s transition to mini-terms, which has led to a 15 percent increase in student attendance and course completion. In the words of one of her students, Viny is “the greatest English teacher I’ve ever had in my experience of school.”

Specialty Schools

Julie
Tingey

CTEC

Julie
Tingey

CTEC

The way that Julie Tingey teaches, says one of her students at the Canyons Technical Education Center, makes the information “just click in my brain.” Another student says this about Julie’s impact on her life: “She is always making sure we understand everything and sits and talks with us until we get it … I scored top of my class this year for the state test and I have never scored at the top of anything before so this means the world to me.” Julie helps her students adopt a strong work ethic, teaching them to “lock in” until they get it done. As a result, her love of forensic sciences is contagious—and has been passed along to the students who have passed through her classroom.

Ashlin
Stephens

Jordan Valley

Ashlin
Stephens

Jordan Valley

To those around her at Jordan Valley School, it seems that Ashlin Stephens was heaven-sent. “She was put on this earth to impact the lives of these children that she is with everyday,” says a friend and colleague at the school for children with severe disabilities. With a smile, Ashlin does not hesitate to lend a hand, no matter the situation. Ashlin also is organizing a Special Olympics event and worked to get a grant to provide life jackets for students. Her colleagues say she is the most dedicated teacher with whom they have ever worked and is always thinking of ways to lift her students’ achievement levels. She believes that every young person is a future leader.

Izzy
Gustafson

Entrada

Izzy
Gustafson

Entrada

Not all heroes wear capes.But Izzy Gustafson’s students at Entrada Adult High School certainly think she should. Coach G — as she’s called at Entrada — shows the characteristics of a super teacher. She’s strong but gentle, exacting but understanding. And she extends life-lines of support for students who must often juggle full-time work and family obligations with their studies. “Every day is something new,” said one nomination for Coach G to receive the Teacher of the Year honor, “and it never seems to be a bad class day when you’re with her.” Fellow educators also see how she works to make her students feel safe, respected, and valued. “Izzy’s impact cannot be measured solely by lessons taught or credits earned,” says a colleague. “It is found in the students who show up when they once struggled to, who persist when quitting once felt inevitable, and who begin to believe in themselves again.”

Jackie
Ricks

Instructional Coach

Jackie
Ricks

Instructional Coach

“The definition of the ultimate high school instructional coach.” That’s how Brighton High’s principal describes instructional coach Jackie Ricks. To say Jackie is a team player is an understatement. She’s been called an adviser, teacher, counselor, and friend, not to mention a “data pro.” Brighton High faculty are grateful for her constant support, saying she makes the time for every teacher. She drops everything to visit a classroom, help with an active class, or collaborate on management strategies. As one colleague put it: “She has an uncanny ability to be everything to everyone.”

Candace
Keefer

Preschool

Candace
Keefer

Preschool

When one of Candy Keefer’s preschool students learned he wouldn’t see her for two weeks over Winter Recess, he said, “No, don’t want it.” That’s how students feel in Ms. Candy’s class. Her peers see how she builds a classroom environment where students feel safe, loved, and excited to come to school each day. Parents see first-hand the success her students have in her class, and the extra work she puts in with them after school. Administrators say she is “highly skilled in classroom management and uses proactive behavior supports that help children learn expectations, while still feeling valued and understood.” Ms. Candy’s students flourish academically, socially, and emotionally at a pace her peers call remarkable.

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