Through adult collaboration and student group work, Camilla Webb, recognized as the 2023-24 Birch Creek Elementary School Teacher of the Year, guides her students toward success.

Growing up, Webb admired her parents, who were both elementary school educators. Her mother taught kindergarten in the Box Elder School District, while her father taught fifth and sixth grades in the Weber School District. The joy her parents derived from teaching influenced Webb’s own path toward becoming an educator.

Webb graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City. Following her high school graduation, she attended Ricks College for two years before moving to Logan and earning her degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University. 

After teaching second grade at Bridger and Adams Elementary for a decade, Webb accepted a position teaching third grade at Birch Creek Elementary School. She taught third grade at Birch Creek for six years before moving to fourth grade this year.  

Webb defines success as her students' perseverance and willingness to keep trying. "I love seeing students have success. It makes the hard work worth it when you realize they are progressing in understanding a concept. I want students to have a love for learning." Webb continued, "I also try to teach them to persevere. I love seeing the joy of learning in their eyes.  I recently went from teaching third to fourth grade. A student joined my class towards the end of last year, and there was a language barrier evident when she joined my class, but now she's talking in complete sentences, reading, and making progress in math. That's exciting!"

Many factors help lead Webb's students to success. One is the people with whom she works.  Webb’s colleagues have been a great support throughout her years of teaching. Another factor is that her students frequently engage in group or partner work within the classroom. She appreciates it when her students teach each other. To help facilitate the group activities, Webb has math and reading aides and parent volunteers who encourage and solve problems with the students. “It is nice to know that so many people work together to help each student succeed," she explained.

Trudy Wilson, principal at Birch Creek Elementary School, appreciates Webb’s enthusiasm and preparation. "Camilla shows up to work each day ready for a full day of teaching kids, helping them find ways to be successful in the present and the future!” She continued, “Her students love and respect her. Camilla is a wonderful colleague, always offering helpful advice and suggestions when you need help."

Honored as Cache High School’s Teacher of the Year, Mike Poole promotes individual success in the classroom by emphasizing the significance of small achievements.

Poole grew up in West Valley, Utah, and graduated from Hunter High School. He earned his associate’s degree at Rick’s College and his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Utah. Unsure of what to do moving forward, he contemplated his true passion and discovered he loves to assist and support others.

“I graduated with a history degree and still didn’t know what I wanted. So I thought about special education,” Poole expressed. “I have a sister who’s severely disabled, and that influenced many decisions in my life. And so, I wanted to work with kids that struggle. It fits into my personality.”

After making this pivotal decision, Poole earned his teaching license from Utah State University and his master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Phoenix. 

Poole started his career by working in the district office at Granite School District for a year before teaching at Salem Hills High School for six years. He then taught at Mountain Crest High School for one year and Sky View High School for five years. He is currently in his second year at Cache High School. 

At Cache High, Poole teaches a diverse group of students with and without disabilities. He teaches various subjects, including math and grammar, but his primary focus is skill development. Poole is passionate about helping his students cultivate reading habits and enhance their comprehension skills. 

“I teach English, math, reading, and whatever the skill is. If they can get a little better each day, I feel that’s successful,” Poole conveyed. “I hope they can use these skills in the real world.” 

When Poole teaches, he instills in his students the belief that they can overcome complex challenges in their academic journey and throughout their lives. He genuinely strives to help students experience a sense of achievement, regardless of the required time. He celebrates small victories, such as a struggling student grasping a problematic concept or finding the motivation to complete a task.

“One of the things they talk about in special education is that, you know, everybody can learn, but it might take three years for this one student to get from this point to this point. In comparison, another student can take two weeks. You must be patient with the learning process and realize they will get here. It might take us a long time. One of the most rewarding experiences I ever had was with a student who had the same math for three years. After three years of those classes, finally, it clicked! The little victories.”

Over the years, Poole’s approach to teaching has evolved. He learned that customizing assignments and teaching methods to better address a student’s specific needs results in more remarkable academic strides.

“I think overall, how I’ve changed is just seeing the student more as an individual. I can look at where the student is and change an assignment to meet this student’s needs,” Poole reflects. “So, I think looking at a class as a group of individuals, versus just here’s your assignment and get it done, is a big change. As teachers, we often get stuck in how we’ve got to do these assignments, or we’ve got to get this information instead of thinking that the student is right here in front of us.”

According to Cache High School Principal Sheri Hansen, “Mike is patient, kind, and has a clear expectation for learning. He has been teaching at Cache High for one year, but his ability to connect with our population has been impressive. He makes Cache High a great place to be.”

Crystal Coria, honored as Canyon Elementary's 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, deeply desires to work with students and help them succeed. Whether lending a listening ear, identifying goals, or offering engaging learning activities, Coria is a school counselor focused on connecting with others individually.

Coria, a native of Ogden, ventured through many states in her formative years. She attended Union College in Nebraska and earned her master's in social work at Utah State University. She was a TAL caseworker and the TAL manager for the Department of Child and Family Services. She also worked for Connect to Success as a foster care coordinator. She loved working with foster families, but her passion has always been to work with children of all ages. Currently, she has been a counselor at Canyon Elementary for four years. 

"I want any person who has interacted with me to walk away feeling like I care about who they are and what they have shared with me,” Coria shared. “I love people and want them to feel safe and valued in counseling and my life."

Coria recognizes elementary school as a crucial starting point for discussing challenging topics. She highlights the significance of listening to students and teaching them coping skills and emotional expression. She believes that constructing a solid emotional foundation and equipping students with the necessary tools to address their feelings will positively impact their ability to navigate challenges as they grow older. Coria teaches these skills by meeting with students individually, presenting in classrooms, and conducting small group activities.

"You have to let people be who they are and meet them where they're at instead of having an agenda or thinking you know how to solve their problem before you even know the whole situation," Coria explained. "If you stop thinking about fixing and just listen, when you get more pieces, you realize that the earlier solution wouldn't have worked." 

Coria works closely with Kim Greer, a school counselor intern. Greer appreciates and admires Coria's efforts in focusing on individuals. "I would say that she is the heart of the school," Greer said. "Teachers come in here and feel safe; she recognizes a correlation between the students and the teachers. There's a trickle effect: everything works better when both are cared for individually."

Leslie Burt, Canyon Elementary School Principal, expressed that Coria is vital for the students and staff. "She is thoughtful and always thinking of others. Whether presenting to a class, running a small group, or checking in with an individual student, Coria has an impact. She goes out of her way to connect. She often leaves notes and gifts to lift someone up or to celebrate a success! Canyon Elementary is a better place because of Crystal!"

Originally from Beijing, China, Suzie Ji, Cedar Ridge Elementary School's 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, focuses on her sixth-grade students' progress and teaches them to reach beyond their comfort zones, as well as to appreciate different cultures.

At the University of Beijing, Ji earned her degree in teaching Chinese as a second language. She taught at the International School of Beijing for eight years following her studies. The students studying at this international school come from all over the world, including Americans, British, and Singaporeans. The international school had a Chinese immersion program, and it was there she became very interested in the dual language immersion program. 

Looking for new opportunities, Ji found potential teaching jobs in Utah, a state with a well-established dual language program. She moved to Utah with her husband and two children and started working at Cedar Ridge Elementary in 2018. She is now in her sixth year of teaching at Cedar Ridge Elementary and her 13th year of teaching.

Ji enjoys seeing her students' progress in learning Mandarin. She observes that they communicate very nervously in Mandarin at first. However, after much encouragement and structured learning plans, she is thrilled to see them begin to speak and even think in Mandarin. 

"There was a student who felt very frustrated with reading and writing because his proficiency was low at the beginning of sixth grade. He even considered going out of the dual language immersion program," Ji explained. "I think that everyone can progress in the program. So, I just encouraged him, and we made a specific learning plan. He caught up with the other students at the end of sixth grade. He was able to write a 200-word essay!"

In the classroom, Ji's students speak Mandarin in groups, describing pictures, reading text together, and even responding to prompts on the board. They are expected to share and to be familiar with the classroom procedures.

"What I like most about my job is the opportunity to communicate with my students. They are the main characters," Ji emphasized. "They are doing most of the talking and learning here in the classroom. I believe the one who is talking is learning. So if I talk all the time, I learn by myself."

Ji emphasizes that the progress of her sixth graders is a collective effort involving Chinese teachers and English teachers. She recognizes that each dedicated teacher and staff member leading up to sixth grade should be recognized.

"My students' progress is not just my effort. All of the Chinese teachers and the DLI English teachers work together. So sixth-grade students, when you see them, have such a high proficiency. This is because of their kindergarten to fifth-grade teachers," Ji states. "My principal, Amy, supports the program. She includes our Chinese teachers in every faculty meeting and respects our opinions, thoughts, and ideas. She supports us."

Amy Ivie, Principal of Cedar Ridge Elementary, said, "She is our Chinese team lead. She schedules our DLI para pros and organizes our Chinese New Year Program. She believes in furthering her education and constantly looks for opportunities to learn how to improve teaching."

A peek into Rob Hoggan’s classroom during Green Canyon High School’s PACK hour (an hour dedicated as a resource for students to get extra academic help) reveals a room full of students practicing, reviewing, and getting ready for upcoming math exams, with Rob’s help. Rob was recently named Green Canyon High School’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year.

Rob has 27 years of teaching experience under his belt. After graduating with a math education degree from Utah State University, he taught at Mt. Logan Middle School and Logan High for 10 years and then moved to Sky View High, where he taught for another 10 years. He started teaching at Green Canyon High when it opened in the 2017-18 school year. 

A positive attitude and focus on the student's strengths are how Rob has found success in teaching math and encouraging his students to take on the challenge of calculus. “You can guide students along a little bit,” Rob commented. “They all need some good positive reinforcement once in a while.” 

For Rob, positive reinforcement is a matter of helping students adjust their mindset and envision growth in themselves. “Help them see what they're looking for and where they're trying to get to,” Rob added. “Show them where they can go rather than where they're not, or ask them ‘what can you be instead of where are you at?’”

On top of encouraging students, Rob strives for his classroom to be a welcoming place where students will want to be. “I want kids to have a good time when they come to class,” Rob explained. “You can ask them. I joke around, and we have fun. But we're learning stuff along the way, too. I want my class to be a place they'd like to come to and don't feel ashamed.”

Principal Jim Crosbie says that Rob embodies the spirit of the school through the way he cares for his students. “Rob is the ultimate team player and the perfect example of being a member and a leader,” Crosbie explained. “He always supports the students; you will always find him at their activities. The students love him, and they know he cares about them. We are so lucky to have Rob in our school.” 

Committed to making a lasting impact on her sixth-grade students, Carrie Wirthlin, Greenville Elementary School's 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, employs interactive and engaging teaching methods in groups and partnerships. She does this to instill a lifelong love for learning among her students.

“They do a lot of group work,” Wirthlin shared. “I feel like we've gotta get up and move, and so we do a lot of engaging, getting up and doing activities.” 

One such activity is the Read and Run exercise, where students engage in partner reading, writing, and running. In this activity, one partner is the reader and runner, and the other is the writer. The runner grabs the question and reads it. Then, they discuss the question and their answer. The other partner writes their answer down. Other activities include the jigsaw method, in which groups of students become experts on a specific topic and then teach the other groups, and the inner and outer circle activity, where the inner circle of students stays in place. In contrast, the outer circle moves around the inner circle of students, each answering the questions posted on the board. 

After completing her undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, Wirthlin received her master’s degree in education with an administrative credential. Before dedicating her time to her family and raising her kids, she taught in Anaheim, California, for six years. She has now taught in the Cache County School District for 11 years, making this her 17th year as an educator.

“I always tell my students my biggest goal is that this year, we can help them get on track to become successful adults,” Wirthlin explained. “I have a motto in my class: Excellence is Expected. In my classroom, excellence is expected by all. Excellence is expected, so we can create an environment where everyone can learn and be at their best. And if excellence is expected from them, then they can expect it from me, and I will do my best to prepare excellent lessons to help them learn and make the lessons engaging and exciting for them.”

According to Greenville Elementary School Principal Stephanie Adams, Wirthlin’s love for her students and fellow staff members has significantly enhanced and uplifted the overall culture of Greenville Elementary. “Carrie is a go-getter and has a tremendous positive influence on our staff. I have watched her work with students on an individual basis. She has a great rapport with her class and communicates well with parents. We appreciate all she does to make Greenville a better place for students and our staff.”

In Zander Andreasen’s classroom, learning is an energizing experience. Andreasen, Heritage Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, teaches a first-grade Dual Language Immersion class entirely in Spanish. 

Teaching wasn’t “Plan A” for Andreasen; he was determined to be a professional baseball player. When he was 14, however, he realized that the Major Leagues weren’t for him. After job shadowing one of his football coaches who was also an elementary school P.E. teacher, Andreasen fell in love with teaching. He received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with minors in Spanish and Physical Education. Now, he is in his third year of teaching at Heritage Elementary.

Holding the attention of a classroom of first-graders can be challenging, but even more so when they’re learning everything for the first time in a second language. However, Andreasen excels at helping students find a love for learning and school at a young age by being an energetic and entertaining presence in the classroom. 

“It takes a lot of energy to keep 26 first-graders entertained when they don't know what you're saying,” Andreasen remarked. “And so I have to expend a lot of energy. But that's been something I've been blessed with.” While teaching, Andreasen is typically at the front of the classroom, using all sorts of facial expressions and gestures to help the students have fun and stay engaged while learning.

Expending all this energy isn’t just to help keep students entertained. Andreasen believes this teaching style also helps concepts stay with students after they leave the classroom. “One of my guiding principles is that students will learn if they enjoy their work,” Andreasen explained. “If kids are having fun and enjoying what we're learning about, it will stick.” 

The best part of teaching for Andreasen is having a front-row seat to watch students start grasping concepts and make connections in their learning. “One thing that is rewarding on the Spanish side is sometimes, when I've been teaching something, they have a hard time understanding it. Then I go outside, and they're using Spanish on the playground just to talk with their friends,” Andreasen commented. “That's an area where they don't need to speak Spanish, but they use what they have.”

Fostering learning and growth in his students to help them become more self-confident is another part of teaching Andreasen finds fulfilling. “One of my goals is to build their self-confidence and have fun,” Andreasen said. “I would like the students to know that you don't have to know everything to be a good student. I try to leave my students with a feeling of ‘I can do this.’ When a kid is struggling and struggling, and then that light bulb kicks on, it’s super rewarding.”

Heritage Elementary Principal Lance Robins believes that this energetic approach to teaching has given Andreasen a special place in the hearts of his students. “Students and parents love him as a teacher. When you walk by his classroom, you can feel the excitement and energy from his teaching,” Robins said. “He is a wonderful person and a fantastic teacher.”

Melissa Mortensen, Lewiston Elementary School’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, emphasizes building personal relationships with students and facilitating their learning to boost confidence and self-esteem. 

Born in Afton, Wyoming, Mortensen grew up in Layton, Utah, and graduated from Layton High School. Following her religious mission in Indiana, she earned her degree in elementary education from Utah State University. After a two-year break raising her two girls, she returned to school to renew her teaching license. Mortensen has taught for eleven years and now teaches second grade at Lewiston Elementary School.

Mortensen found inspiration in both of her grandparents, who were educators. Her grandmother taught second grade, and her grandfather was a Star Valley High School band instructor. Additionally, Mortensen loves being with children and learning from them. “I just feel comfortable around kids,” Mortensen explained. “They're happy. I like being around kids. And teaching is just really rewarding to see something click.”

Mortensen acknowledges that addressing students’ academic performance and behavior is crucial in learning. However, she believes that cultivating individual connections with each student and building that trust over time aids the student’s learning process and instills confidence when tackling challenging tasks.

“If they know you're here for them, they will work for you better,” Mortensen explained. “They know that you want them to succeed.”

Mortenson appreciates the growth she has experienced from her years as a teacher. Each teacher has a teaching style, and she has found her own. Understanding this has helped her relate to and encourage her own students’ growth.

“I've grown the most because I've learned that we all have our own style. The best thing I've learned with classroom management is that if a kid does something wrong, you correct it as soon as you can, of course, but as soon as you can, you go back to normal,” Mrs. Mortensen said. “That kid has to feel normal. You let them know they're still loved and things will go normal. You're not gonna hold a grudge.”

Troy Pugmire, principal of Lewiston Elementary, said, “She is a hard worker and a great teacher. Mrs. Mortensen’s sincere love for her students is very apparent to anyone who visits her classroom. She inspires hope and instills a love of learning in her students. Melissa constantly seeks ways to improve her teaching and works collaboratively with colleagues and parents.” He continued, “She is truly making a difference at our school! Our students, staff, and parents are fortunate to have her at Lewiston Elementary.” 

Victoria Floyd, recognized as the Lincoln Elementary 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, embraces diversity within her classroom while nurturing a passion for reading and learning among her students.

Born and raised in El Salvador, education was important in Mrs. Floyd’s life. Her mother was an elementary school teacher, while her father worked as a surgeon until they moved to the United States due to a civil war. Despite the challenging transition, she was determined to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. 

Floyd graduated from Utah State University (USU) with a degree in elementary education. She taught for the dual language immersion program at the Cache County School District and is now in her third year of teaching first grade. This is her thirteenth year at the school district.

Reading is an integral part of Floyd's teaching. She uses a reading point system in her class called "Reading Counts." This is a system that normally second graders use, but she has adapted it to teach her first graders. Students receive a point for reading a book and answering a few questions. One student in her classroom has 125 points. The purpose of these reading exercises is to help students develop a love for learning and improve comprehension.

"I love the feeling when I learn something new. It's exciting to me,” Floyd stated. I want them to connect things from the real world to what we do in the classroom. Hopefully, they will catch the reading bug, and reading will become a part of their lives."

There are many books to choose from in Floyd’s classroom. Stuffed animals and pictures of Snoopy and other comic strip characters can also be found in her classroom. These wholesome comic strip characters are presented in her classroom so students see the value of embracing differences and loving each other. 

"I just love Snoopy and the gang! They don't look at their differences. They look at how much they like and love each other," Floyd expressed. "I want that in my classroom. I want us to be like them. They're all great friends."

Audrey McKell, principal of Lincoln Elementary, expressed her appreciation for Floyd and her focus on serving others. "Vicky is passionate about her students, professional, and compassionate. There are many times I have seen her willingly translate for others in the school. She loves her students and works hard to help them succeed."

Every teacher knows the job doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom. That’s something Millville Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year Angela Justesen exemplifies through her dedication to improving and learning new ways to reach her students and teach them new concepts. 

Teaching was in the cards for Justesen for a long time. Upon completing the fourth grade, she knew she wanted to be a fourth-grade teacher when she grew up. After graduating from Utah State University with a dual degree in elementary and special education, she was hired to teach fourth grade at Millville Elementary, where she has taught for the past 27 years. 

For Justesen, it’s all about helping kids believe in themselves. “I love helping kids,” Justensen remarked. “One of my favorite parts about teaching is seeing that light bulb go on, and they finally understand what they're being taught, and it makes sense to them and becomes something they own.”

Justesen believes every student can accomplish that understanding and ownership. “All kids can learn everything. Some just need it taught a different way,” Justesen explained, “or a little bit more time to understand, a little bit more practice until they own it and they understand something. They can all be successful. I have high expectations for all of them because they can all meet them, but they need help. Obviously, I don't expect them to do it alone.”

Justesen adapts her teaching to her students so they can meet these high expectations by expanding her knowledge of teaching techniques and skills, and by soaking in as much information as she can from other sources.  “Teaching is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job,” Justensen commented. “I'm always thinking about the kids in the back of my mind, and I'll be somewhere or be doing something, and there will be some connection. I'll be at workshops, and they'll be talking about something like fractions, and I'll think, ‘Oh, this student is struggling with fractions. I wonder if they could use this.’”

“I've also done a lot of endorsements throughout the years,” she added, “and I’ve continuously had student teachers in my room so that I can stay up on new research and new ideas for helping kids learn. The biggest reason I go to workshops, conferences, and classes is to find out new ways, approaches, and strategies that will help kids learn. Even if it only helps one kid understand fractions better, it's worth it, because it gave them that understanding.”

Millville Elementary Principal Brady Johnson believes that Justesen is an exemplary teacher. “She loves to teach, and she loves students,” Johnson noted. “She works every year to be better at her craft, and she has high expectations for her students and works tirelessly to help them reach those heights. Mrs. Justesen is very deserving of this award.”

It’s often said that the world is like a classroom. In Haylee McKenna’s first-grade class, it’s all about bringing curriculum and real-world experiences together to spark curiosity in students’ minds. McKenna, named North Park Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, teaches her students to turn the world around them into a giant classroom.

Teaching wasn’t McKenna's initial plan. Growing up, her sights were set on starting a career in the medical field. However, after starting school at Utah State University, she felt drawn towards teaching and made the switch. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and is currently in her second year of teaching. “I teach first grade, and I love it,” McKenna commented. “The students are fun, learn so fast, and are very honest, so they say things that keep me humble.” 

For McKenna, the most rewarding part of teaching a classroom full of young students is seeing the vibrant energy and positivity they radiate, and watching them grow and understand new concepts. “My favorite part about teaching is being surrounded by the light they shine,” she explained. “I just like to be around kids, because they’re so fun and ready to learn. They want to be here and are so excited about life, so being here keeps me refreshed on living my own life.”

One of McKenna’s main goals is to help students develop a curiosity for learning. In McKenna’s class, students draw real-world connections between what they experience outside of school and concepts they learn in the classroom. “I want students to be able to develop curiosity, to go have experiences and come back and share with the other students what they've learned outside of the class,” McKenna added. With every trip or vacation, McKenna constantly thinks of how she can include what she sees in her lessons to help students build real-world connections.  “I bring back pictures of actual things I’ve learned and seen, so it’s not just in the books for them,” McKenna explained, “They see someone they know has been there.”

To help foster the development of this curiosity, McKenna helps her students understand that they’re valued, seen, and heard in her classroom. Whether through facilitating student presentations on their own experiences or encouraging them to think a little deeper into topics, McKenna is dedicated to creating an environment where curiosity for learning thrives.“I want them to feel safe and give them opportunities to share what they think in class,” McKenna expounded. “Giving them questions that make them think always helps. I don't want them just to regurgitate what the book says.  I want to know what they actually think.”

McKenna attributes much of her success in her early teaching career to the support and guidance provided by her fellow teachers and mentors. “I’ve been able to get a lot of help and practice from my colleagues,” McKenna commented. “I’ve got a long way to go! The important thing is to keep trying. I’m realizing how much I don’t know, but I’ve learned a lot and got a lot of help. Part of the fun is the challenge to grow.”

North Park Elementary Principal Jullie Payne expressed gratitude for McKenna’s positive influence on the school. “Her colleagues describe her as a bright ray of sunshine that always treats students and teachers with kindness,” Payne remarked. “They appreciate that she is always positive and find that her positivity rubs off on those around her. Her lessons are engaging, and students learn a lot from her instruction.”

Kindergarten plays a special role in a student’s education as the origin of the rest of their academic experience. Lesa Cook, Providence Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, aims to help make her kindergarten classroom a place of learning, laughter, and safety for all her students.

Cook first decided she wanted to pursue a career in education when she heard a friend’s mother talk about her day as a kindergarten teacher. She was enthralled by what she heard and set her mind to teaching kindergarten. Additionally, her own mother was also a beloved second-grade teacher and an inspiration to her. Cook studied at Utah State University, earning a degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She has now taught kindergarten for 10 years at Providence Elementary and wouldn’t want to teach any other grade anywhere else. “There are days I can't believe I get paid to do what I do,” Cook remarked.

When they enter kindergarten, students have their first introduction to school and all that goes with it. Cook aspires to ensure that they’re not only learning how to be good students but also how to become good people. “We talk about everything and work through a lot of things on how to solve our problems and how to have empathy for one another,” Cook explained. “If I can help them become successful in their reading and writing, as people working together, and know how to be a good friend, then they're going to soar in life.”

While ensuring her students are learning concepts on all fronts, Cook says the biggest reward for her is watching students develop and grasp new concepts. “I love the growth. I love the energy and seeing the progress. I don’t think there is another grade that shows as much growth as kindergarten does,” she commented. “It thrills me when I see students putting sounds together to read, write phonetic words and sentences, or understand math and science concepts. The progress is just thrilling and so fun to see.”

For this growth to occur, Cook wants her students to feel loved, have a good relationship with her, and feel part of the unified culture she tries to create in the classroom. “The love has to be there,” Cook added. “When there's love, everything else falls in place. If the students feel safe, are engaged with their learning, and feel like I care about them, then I can help them become successful. It's like planting a seed in good soil. If a seed is in good soil, then that seed will grow. So if the students have confidence in their learning, then they will succeed.”

Cook strives to keep her classroom dynamic and lively, using a variety of activities and methods to help students get the most out of their learning. “I'll bring in parents and do different learning activities with parent centers. I try to make things different and shake it up,” Cook explained. “We'll use songs, lots of actions, poetry, art, and books to integrate into our lessons to make them interesting. We have a good time and laugh a lot! I hope my students remember how magical kindergarten was. I hope they remember I was a smiley, happy teacher. I don’t expect my kindergartners to remember much, but I hope they will remember how they felt in my classroom.”

Providence Elementary Principal Jeff Keck says that Cook is an invaluable resource to the students and the school. “Lesa is so loving and patient with the students. She is a great example for all of us,” Keck stated. “She pours endless love into each kid. She recognizes them for who they are and meets them where they need to learn. Each child in her class knows that she loves them and that she’s there to help them. She is a valuable member of the staff that makes others feel valued and always builds people up and makes them feel good about their efforts.”

It’s all about the application. At least, that’s what it’s about in Ridgeline 2023-24 Teacher of the Year Katrina Parker’s classroom. 

Parker graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with an Exercise Science emphasis from Utah State University and a Master’s in Health and Human Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi. While her undergraduate degree was in education, Parker started her career in a different field. Initially, she worked in healthcare administration in Mississippi before moving back to Cache Valley in 2006 to work for Cache Valley Hospital. She helped coach track at Mountain Crest and Ridgeline High Schools before being hired at Ridgeline as a teacher, where she now teaches health, sports medicine, and P.E.. She is also the head boys' and girls' track coach. 

Transitioning from corporate America to the classroom was a challenge at first for Parker, but she quickly adapted as she received support, encouragement, training, and ideas for teaching from the school administration. “I was a little nervous. I knew I knew the content but didn't know if I could present it to the class. I had a mentor teacher at Ridgeline, which helped me find my footing,” Parker explained. “I have great administrators that have done the same thing.”

Principal Bardett Bagley said that although Parker has only four years of teaching experience, she has grown into an amazing teacher. “She has hit the ground running and is a sponge when it comes to absorbing knowledge, teaching skills, and practices,” Bagley remarked. 

Parker has found success in teaching by helping students find real-world applications for what they are learning. “Sometimes the kids go, ‘When am I ever gonna use this again?’ So I try to pull specific kinds of scenarios in. For example, you have to be able to talk to a doctor, or when you want to stay fit,” Parker explained.

Application isn’t the only thing Parker attributes to her success. Equally important is building relationships. “If you have that good relationship with them, and if they know they can come to talk to you about anything, even beyond the curriculum that you're teaching, they're more likely to pay attention to it,” Parker said. “I've had students come back and say, ‘Hey, this happened, and I knew what to do here. Or I remember you said this.’ That's amazing when that happens.”

Principal Bagley considers Parker a tremendous asset to the students and the school. “Katrina cares about students and learning,” Bagley commented, “She is intentional with her planning and teaching. She knows that students will learn at their best by being her best, and she works tirelessly at being the best.”

One of Cindy Larsen’s secrets to aiding students become amazing learners is to help them figure things out for themselves. Larsen, River Heights Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, aims to increase students’ abilities and self-confidence by instilling one important lesson: they can do it.

Originally graduating from Utah State University (USU) with a degree in secondary education, Larsen chose to the full-time, rewarding job of raising six children instead of starting right away in the classroom. Once her youngest was in high school, she began teaching as a music specialist at River Heights Elementary and concurrently returned to USU to receive another degree in Elementary Education. She then taught third grade for five years before moving to sixth grade. Larsen received a Master’s degree in mathematics education and currently teaches math to all the sixth-graders at River Heights Elementary School.

Larsen’s main emphasis while teaching is to allow students to figure out the answers for themselves, which bolsters their self-confidence. “Every kid has so much potential; it's just a matter of making them feel comfortable and believe in themselves,” Larsen explained. “Once they realize that I'm not going to tell them the answer, which is a battle at the beginning of the year, they figure out that they need to do it. I watch them go from thinking ‘I can't do this, what do I do?’ to ‘Wow, I really can do this!’”

In Larsen’s classroom, students stretch their minds and experiment with solutions until they get them right. “It’s so important that they figure out they can do this,” Larsen remarked. “They figure things out and make it work. Learning and discovering new things is fun; figuring it out for yourself is much better than somebody telling you. It’s the best way to teach math. They can, and they will figure it out.”

While the students are the light and joy of her teaching experience, Larsen also said that the staff and administration of River Heights are a major part of what makes the school a great place to be. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of teachers to work with than we have. I love everyone,” Larsen said. “The support for teaching has been amazing. Our team supports each other so well; the office staff helps us with whatever they can, and I feel incredibly supported by our principal.”

River Heights Elementary Principal Stacie Williamson expressed her gratitude for Larsen’s contributions to the school. “Cindy loves working with sixth-grade students and enjoys their personalities,” Williamson commented. “She works hard to create lessons that introduce concepts in a way that makes them create connections from previous learning and their knowledge to new concepts. She is willing to work on any committee and help with anything. We are very, very lucky to have Cindy at River Heights and so grateful for all she does for our kids!”

Helping students grow into lifelong learners and building relationships is how Sky View High School 2023-23 Teacher of the Year Vanessa Hall finds success in the classroom.

A native of Cache Valley and alumna of Sky View, Hall’s teaching roots run deep in Cache Valley. Her father was a history teacher at Sky View when she was growing up, and her mother was a secretary at Sky View and North Cache. “I had some amazing teachers, and it's so fun that I get to come back and work with them,” she commented. 

Hall received her undergraduate degree in history with a minor in mathematics from Brigham Young University and started teaching at Morgan High School. After three years, she jumped at the chance to teach at Sky View, where she has taught for ten years. She feels incredibly grateful to teach there and honor the legacy of the teachers who made a difference in her life. “They gave me so much,” she explained. “If I can give just a little bit back of what they gave me, then I feel like I've done something right.”

With teaching roots and years of experience behind her, Hall believes that the most important skill for her students to learn is how to become lifelong learners. “Maybe they’re not going to remember the quadratic formula for the rest of their life,” she commented. “But if they can learn and think for themselves and problem solve, then I've done my job.”  

The lifelong learning process isn’t just for students but for the teacher. Hall said that learning with students is the key to helping students become lifelong learners. “If I want kids to be lifelong learners, I need to be a lifelong learner,” Hall explained. "I think it is so important that we learn along with the students. I’ve learned so much from my students over the years." She continued, "There are times during a lesson they will say something, and it will make me think of things in a different way. If I’m willing to learn, then hopefully, it will impact their own willingness." 

Hall strives to build better relationships with her students by supporting them in various ways, particularly through coaching and attending athletic events. “I love to be able to coach because then I can build a relationship outside of the classroom that carries over into the classroom,” she remarked. “Being able to support and see kids do what they love makes a big difference in the classroom. Putting in time outside the classroom helps inside the classroom."

Principal Shane Jones said that Hall’s efforts to help students build relationships and become lifelong learners greatly help the school. “She embodies the very core of Sky View,” he explained. “She goes above and beyond her teaching and coaching assignments to make Sky View better.” 

Nicki Latimer, South Cache Middle School’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, views the different languages her students speak as a way to foster more profound connections through various learning activities and individualized attention.

Hailing from Cache Valley, Nicki Latimer attended River Heights Elementary School, Spring Creek Middle School, and the South Cache Freshman Center. She graduated from Mountain Crest High School. Latimer attended BYU-Idaho for two years before transferring to Utah State University. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English as a Second Language (ESL). 

Latimer began her teaching career at the Logan School District for one year, followed by 17 years at the Logan English Language Center, where she focused on teaching adults how to speak English. Currently, she is entering her fourth year of teaching as an ELL and Language Arts teacher at South Cache Middle School. She has taught ESL for an impressive 20 years.

“I fell in love with ESL from the beginning,” Latimer explained. “I don’t see myself ever changing because I love what I do.”

With just ten desks in her classroom, Latimer has a unique opportunity to establish deeper relationships with her few students. This classroom setting allows Latimer to get to know her students more personally. She has found that in this setting, she can value the diversity that her students bring to the school and be more empathic about the challenges they face.

“First and foremost, I want them to know they are loved. I create an environment here where my students know they are awesome,” Latimer said. “So, I create a safe environment in the classroom. Once you do that, they know they’re loved. They’ll then be able to learn. They won’t be able to learn until they know that this is a safe place to learn. They know I have an open-door policy.”

Within her classroom, Latimer communicates in English with her students. She does not know any other language besides English. Among her students, some speak Arabic, Spanish, and even Marshallese. Latimer uses games, flashcards, real-life experiences, and even Google Translate to navigate the language barrier. Despite the language barrier, her genuine commitment to helping her students has not gone unnoticed.

According to Randy Bennion, South Cache Middle School Principal, Latimer does a tremendous job addressing her students’ physical and emotional needs and creating a nurturing environment. “Nicki does a great job of making her ELL students feel included, important, and accountable. She is great at building appropriate relationships, ensuring everyone is learning, and ensuring no one falls through the cracks. She is an awesome educator, and I know that she sincerely cares about the students that she helps each day.”

Latimer will be honored at an upcoming board meeting.

The Spring Creek Middle School library is the center of student life, thanks to the creative and welcoming efforts of media teacher Jan Jenson. Jenson was recently honored as Spring Creek's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year. 

Jenson graduated from Utah State University with a history and language arts degree. She went on to further her education, getting accredited as a librarian through Valley City State University in North Dakota and receiving a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. She originally taught English at Spring Creek for a year, then went to Providence Elementary as a librarian for one year before returning to Spring Creek to teach English for another four years before becoming the school’s media teacher.

Jenson is passionate about helping students feel like they have a place of belonging and making the school library a warm and inviting place where students can engage with each other. The library is full of activities for students, from legos to bracelet making, domino trains, and a Tech Deck park. Most of these creative additions have come from the direct input of the students. "My greatest resources are my kids. I have a teen advisory board and Manga Club who help me choose books and activities for the library," Jenson explained. "I love the students and want the library to be a safe place.”

As an educator, Jenson’s main goal is to help students apply what they learn while reading and to gain empathy for others. Using a phrase from education specialist Rudine Sims Bishop, Jenson stated, "I want them to read books that are both windows and mirrors. A window is you're looking at somebody else's life different from your own, and you're gaining empathy from finding out about someone different, and a mirror is a 'wow, here's a book, and it's about me.'" 

She also collaborates with other teachers for students to utilize the library and facilitate learning with technology. For example, Spanish classes come and record weather reports in Spanish in front of the green screens that she provides. Other classes use iPads and microphones to help students create podcasts for assignments. "I couldn't do this without the collaboration of teachers,” Jenson commented, “That's what makes it successful." 

Jenson has even found ways to get the community and local businesses involved in supporting education. Every January to March, Jenson organizes an event called "Battle of the Books," which encourages students to read books independently or in teams and rewards them for finishing them. Several local businesses donate prizes for the event, such as gift cards to different restaurants in town. The whole school participates in the event, including the teachers. "That's kind of what we're known for; that is what the Spring Creek library is known for," Jenson stated.

Along with the students, Spring Creek Principal Blair Powell appreciates Jenson’s efforts. "She is a champion for all students feeling welcome, and she will find a way to bring literacy into a student's life,” Powell remarked. “She goes above and beyond to serve her students during the school year and the summer, giving them access to books and reading materials. She is creative, patient, loves students, and makes an amazing impact on the students of Spring Creek.”

According to Hilary Bair, Summit Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, hard work is the key to success in life. Bair teaches her students to value work and be excited about the experiences and challenges that life throws at them. 

Bair grew up on a small ranch surrounded by horses and cows in Plain City, Utah. She competed heavily in rodeo events, like breakaway roping and goat tying. This taught Bair to enjoy hands-on activities and working hard. She received a full-ride rodeo scholarship and attended Weber State for two years before transferring to Utah Valley University, where she earned her teaching degree. Bair and her husband coach the Utah State University rodeo team. She has worked as an educator for 15 years and has taught first grade at Summit Elementary for 12 years. Hard work on the ranch and rodeos took her far in her education and still inspires her today as a teacher and coach. 

“One of the reasons I became a teacher is because I love hard work,” Bair explained. “If you put your mind to it and are willing to do the work, you'll see success. It's just how it works.”

Bair recognizes that sometimes teaching first grade can be challenging, but she loves how students come into her classroom with smiles and are excited and ready to learn. She believes in building individual relationships with each student, which enables them to feel valued, creating a trusting relationship.

“I learned that I love working with children, mostly because I love to see that light and that excitement, " Bair remarked. “I truly care about who they are as a person. These kids love life. They are excited about it. Everything is fun, it's new. And I get to come and be with them every single day.”

Building trust is vital to creating a positive environment in Bair’s classroom, but making learning fun and exciting for her students is just as important. Students learn in engaging ways by using a variety of hands-on activities. For example, they use colorful pop-its in groups to learn certain addition and subtraction strategies for math. 

“It can't be all textbooks. Anything we can do hands-on excites them to do whatever they're learning; whatever we can do to get them excited about their learning and show them that learning is fun,” Bair explained. “It's hard work, but it's also fun.”

Summit Elementary School Principal Aimee McNeil reflected on Bair’s impact as a teacher. “What makes Hilary Bair an exceptional educator is her willingness to do what it takes to help students reach their full potential. She knows her students, and they know she cares about them. Hilary sees the bigger picture and does her part to make a difference in the world around her.”

Holly Andersen, awarded Teacher of the Year for 2023-24 at Sunrise Elementary School, emphasizes to her students that they can depend on her guidance beyond academics. Andersen strives to make all her students feel valued and supported in their learning community by offering personalized one-on-one support.

Andersen's drive to become an educator stems from her own positive experiences during her formative years."When my teachers believed in me, I believed in myself," she recalls. After graduating from Utah State University with a dual education degree in early childhood and elementary education, she earned a master's degree in literacy at Western Governors University. “I saw things in teachers that I loved, and I thought to myself, you know, what I want is to make kids feel loved and to feel a part of something because I loved it when teachers did that to me,” reflected Andersen. “The most important thing to me is when students can feel seen, heard, and valued, even when they are little.”

Andersen's journey began as a student teacher, and ever since then, she found her passion at Sunrise Elementary. With 12 years of teaching experience, she dedicated five years to kindergarten education and seven years to teaching fifth graders. “Oddly enough, I student-taught in this room we’re in today,” Andersen added. “It is like the rooms were calling me, and I've been here ever since.”

Ensuring her students feel comfortable and loved is among Andersen's top priorities, both within and beyond the classroom.“I loved it when teachers made me feel connected and saw me for who I was.” Andersen added. “I want my students to know, at the end of every day, Miss Andersen loves them.” 

In addition to providing a safe space for her students, Andersen seeks to create a classroom environment that is friendly and stimulating for young minds. “Children can exude a lot of energy. They need movement to engage their minds, and it becomes a game where they are like, 'Oh, this is fun.',” said Andersen. “They don’t even realize they're learning.”

Shellie Healy, Principal of Sunrise Elementary School, expressed that Andersen sets a commendable example as a leader and a positive role model. “Holly has mentored two new teachers since I have been the principal, and both have shown tremendous growth,” said Healy. “Their success is a direct reflection of Holly. She is always positive and tackles whatever comes her way. Sunrise Elementary is very lucky to have her.”

Creativity and fun are what best describe Deserae Archibald’s kindergarten classroom. Archibald was recently named the Wellsville Elementary School’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year. 

Raised in Cache Valley, Archibald attended Sky View High School before pursuing her passion for teaching at Utah State University, where she earned a degree in early childhood education. Remaining committed to teaching, Archibald kept her teaching certificate up-to-date for several years after graduation, while raising three children. Once her youngest child entered kindergarten, she returned to teaching kindergarten and has been an educator for 16 years at Wellsville Elementary. 

Recognizing the playful nature of her young students, Archibald considers fun a crucial element of learning. She focuses on integrating engaging learning activities to enhance their understanding. For example, she organizes an activity called “Rotation Groups,” where each table participates in a learning activity, whether coloring or writing new words. They rotate four times a week, and she collaborates with parents and teacher aides to maintain a structured learning environment. 

“We're very engaged, and there's a lot of movement,” Archibald said. “Kindergarteners aren't meant to sit, read, and write all day. There's a lot of clapping and marching. They need movement at each moment.”

Archibald emphasizes the significance of collaborative learning experiences alongside hands-on activities. She asserts that fostering teamwork through engaging tasks creates experiences that can create and strengthen relationships, promote creativity, and cultivate habits and skills necessary for future endeavors. 

“Playing is still part of their education as a kindergartner,” Archibald explained. “I try to gear the curriculum towards hands-on fun activities so that kids can learn from and experience things with each other. They can learn through experiences that they have socially with friends. It’s still guided learning, allowing them to explore through their creativity.”

Wellsville Elementary Principal Glen Harris described Archibald as an amazing educator who promotes positivity and supports those around her. “Deserae is an exceptional kindergarten teacher,” Harris said. “She teaches her students with kindness and respect and does it in a manner that is fun and engaging for her students” He continued, “Deserae plays an important role in our school and does it outstandingly. She represents our school well in what we are all striving to be.”

In Miranda Erickson’s third-grade classroom, it’s easy for students to feel that someone at school loves and cares about them. For Erickson, who was named White Pine’s Elementary’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year, the best way to help students excel in school is to establish strong one-on-one relationships with them.

Born in Cache Valley, Erickson started her teaching career as an aide in special education classrooms, where she fell in love with education. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education. Her career has taken her from Southern Utah to Nevada to Wyoming and back to Cache Valley, where she is currently in her sixth year of teaching.

A guiding principle for Erickson is that relationships are critical to helping students feel comfortable in a classroom and be able to learn.  “My first goal is always to get to know students on a deeper level,” Erickson explained. “When I build those relationships, it changes my whole perspective of my students. It makes it fun. At the end of the day, if I know that they love being here and had a lot of fun, that's what's important to me. Half the battle is for students to want to be here.”

Having fun at school is paramount to Erickson to create an effective learning environment for students. “Even if school is challenging for a student, I want them to love being here,” Erickson commented. “If they love to be here, at least they're getting the information and the knowledge even when it's hard. My main philosophy is for the students to know that somebody here at school thinks about them every day, even when they're not here.”

The ideal school day for Erickson is a perfect balance of learning and fun. For example, Erickson takes her students to decorate the doors and rooms of teachers and staff as a fun break from the classroom. “You're building those relationships because you're in it with the students. You see different personalities than if we're sitting at our desks all day,” Erickson remarked. “There's got to be a beautiful balance of both fun and learning. They know that if they can work hard and get their work done, we can do something fun.”

Erickson believes the most important thing her students need to learn is patience when things get difficult and that they can persevere through their challenges. “I’ll tell them, ‘You can get through it. It might be hard today, but you'll get it tomorrow or the next day,’” Erickson explained. “I teach students it'll click sometime. With patience, they can get through all the hard things in their lives.”

White Pine Elementary Principal Derek Beer says that Erickson’s upbeat attitude and love have a great impact on the students. “Miranda is such a positive influence in our school,” Beer added. “She brings happiness and love to her classroom that spills out to the whole school. She is amazing!”