This award will be presented to one teacher from each elementary school, two teachers from each middle school, and four teachers from Wasatch High School.
This year, the Wasatch Education Foundation received more than 800 nominations with testimonials about the impact teachers have had on their students.
Teachers are evaluated on a variety of criteria, including creativity in the classroom and going above and beyond for their students.
Wasatch County School District Superintendent Paul Sweat said the award recognizes the hard work teachers put into their students.
“One of the primary goals of this school board is to attract and retain highly educated and qualified teachers to the district,” he said. “I feel like this program has really boosted morale.”
In addition to recognition, each winning teacher will receive a check for $11,500 from the foundation's donors. Sweat said the teachers deserved that bonus in their honor.
“It's one of those things where you put your money where your mouth is,” he says. “These teachers can do some amazing things.”
Terry Wright, a member of the foundation's board of directors, said anyone in the community can nominate a teacher for the award.
“We can't be in the classroom. We can't see what's going on,” she said. “So next year, when this comes up, take the time to do it, because being recognized will make a huge difference in their lives.”
This is the fourth year the Wasatch County School District has won the Outstanding Educator Award.
This year's outstanding educators are:
- Marjorie Keene, Daniels Canyon Elementary School
- Megan Hales, Heber Valley Elementary School
- Katie Knight, JR Smith Elementary School
- Sally Baird, Midway Elementary School
- Brinley Phillips, Old Mill Elementary School
- Mary McKee and Brent Folkman, Rocky Mountain Middle School
- Andres Caceres and Jessica Potter, Timpanogos Middle School
- Charlene Dawson, Deette Inglebright, Jacob Hinman, Samuel Wood, Wasatch High School