Teacher Feature

This week's teacher feature award goes to Janie Lauritzen of Welby Elementary. Her husband writes "For 19 years, she has invested anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 of her salary to supply her students with the tools she thinks are essential to their experience in kindergarten, and to lay a foundation for her kids to succeed as they move into the upper grades. Most important of all, she LOVES the children, and the ...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Jen Lightfoot of Viewmont Elementary. A parent says "Mrs. Lightfoot not only goes above and beyond for my child but for each of the children in her class. She treats her students like her own children, which is amazing since she is a mother herself to 8 children. She is an amazing teacher and truly cares about each and everyone of her students. I would love her to be re...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Shanalee Sadler of Alta High School. A parent writes: "Mrs. Sadler has shown that she cares for my son and wants the best for him. She has made sure that he is prepared for his future whatever that might be."

Mrs. Sadler receives a special recognition award from Zions Bank, an overnight stay at the Anniversary Inn, dinner for two at the Roof Restaurant downtown, two sea...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Alice Erickson of Willow Canyon Elementary. A former student writes: "thank you, Mrs. Erickson, for making every day a "great day" for your students. Thank you for teaching us with kindness and respect. Thank you for taking the time to reach every student. Thank you for making us feel important and loved. Thank you for being the kind of teacher we all aspire to be."

Mrs...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Alex Barlow from North Sampete High School. An aunt of a student writes: "By showing kids what they can achieve and caring about them whether they achieve it or not Mr Barlow gives these kids hope. He never asks for anything in return. I truly believe that he has saved lives just by being a dedicated, amazing, and resourceful teacher. We all have that one person in our ...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Timothy McNeil from Corner Canyon High School. A happy parent writes "Mr McNeil teaches and expresses the importance of safety while working with the machinery and all the equipment.My son was enrolled in at least one class a year starting with freshman year. He created and built and drew amazing creations and pictures. Our son was busy with sports and his heavy school ...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Heather White from Hawthorn Academy. A parent writes that her student "has struggled with being mistreated in the past, because he is a little different. Ms. White has stopped this and he has experienced the best year ever!! I am so grateful for her kindness and the ability to push him, but also celebrate his successes!”

Ms. White receives a special recognition award fr...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Erin Teuscher at Herriman High School. A former student writes "I have struggled as a writer over my years as a student and this was a challenge that I feared. Meeting my new teacher made me feel comfortable in the class and gave me confidence. Ms. Teuscher taught me to believe in myself and that over time I could develop writing skills that would carry me through my ne...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Marie Miller of Wooddruff Elementary School. A parent writes: "She is amazing, kind, caring and smart. I honestly tear up thinking of all she sacrifices for her students to show them how loved and supported they are not only in her classroom but outside of school as well. Mrs. Miller does her best to attend something special the kids are doing in their personal lives. S...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Hailey Oswald of Brookhaven Elementary. The parent of a student who had been recently adopted says" Miss Oswald exceeded amazing! Before Lucy came to class she explained Lucy’s background and why she might be ‘different’ and not understand some of the things most kids do. She gave Lucy the safe haven she needed. Miss Oswald provided her with a happy, healthy environment...

This week's teacher feature award goes to The student who nominated him says "Mr. Mullen is an exemplary teacher. Mr. Mullen is our engineering and Project Lead the Way teacher. This is an extremely hard position to fill, and we were so lucky when Mr. Mullen took a job here at Mt. Ogden. He has turned a struggling program around. Students in previous years would complain about how hard and rigorous the course w...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Doug Jolley of Westfield Elementary. A parent writes "Mr. Jolley changed a rowdy class of diverse 6th graders into “Learning Team.” By the end of the school year, Mr. Jolley had transformed this class. He taught much more than sixth grade curriculum. He became a coach. The students helped each other."

Mr. Jolley receives a special recognition award from Zions Bank, an o...

This week's teacher feature award goes to SaraJo Martin from Foothills Elementary School. Her daughter who nominated her says "SaraJo Martin, has been dedicated to teaching Utah students for 35+ years. She has touched so many lives, and worked from sun up till sun down to ensure her students get the most out of her class."

Mrs. Martin receives a special recognition award from Zions Bank, an overnight stay at th...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Tara Porath from Matheson Junior High. She was nominated by her husband who says: " Tara teaches US history and is the department chair. Tara is a strict teacher who demands the most out of her students yet encourages them and motivates them through unique engaging activities. Tara makes her classes dynamic, bringing to life past history. Many of the struggling students...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Cindy Smith from Hayden Peak Elementary. The Principal of the school writes: "She is a loving teacher that gets results! Her students love and respect her. She has high standards and expects each of her students to excel and they do. Cindy’s students have consistently shown incredible growth in their academic tests."

Cindy Smith receives a special recognition award from...

This week's teacher feature award goes to art teacher Brandon Cook from Venture High School. One of his students writes: "I have been taught by Cook in his drawing and painting classes, and it has been a blast. He is the most kind, helpful person I know at the school, and I don't know where I would be without him."

Mr. Cook receives a special recognition award from Zions Bank, an overnight stay at the Anniversa...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Todd Jepperson an English Teacher at Orem Junior High School. The Principal, Brian Jolley, says that Mr. Jepperson also works with the yearbook group and is the advisor for the Latinos in Action Group. He has this ability to be able to help students realize and act on their goals.

Mr Jepperson receives a special recognition award from Zions Bank, an overnight stay at th...

This week's teacher feature award goes to Jessica Cassity from Weber High School. A parent of a struggling student writes "I would always hope all teachers would be open to thinking about the child first, and their ego second. This was for sure the case with Ms. Cassity. She was very open and concerned about my daughter. She knew that I was in no way questioning her teaching."

Ms Cassity receives a special reco...

This week's teacher feature award goes to John Angell at Cyprus High School in Magna. A parent of his student wrote that her son's teacher bought him "a brand-new tux in the zip up bag and [he] comes home and shows me! He says & "MOM DID YOU SEE THIS" I said no?? what is Jos.A.Banks? He shows me, and I made a joke and said who is that and he said "MINE!"

Mr. Angell receives a special recognition award from Zion...