It is the surprise of a lifetime for some Jordan School District teachers who are being honored in a 68-school tour with the Jordan Education Foundation showing up and recognizing the 2025 “Outstanding Educators of the Year.” The educators are being honored as “All Stars” for their winning ways in supporting students and giving them opportunities to reach their highest potential on the road to success. All of the teachers are nominated by colleagues, their peers, and/or parents.

Congratulations to the following “Outstanding Educators” honored on Tuesday. Stay tuned, more teacher honorees to come all week long!

• Christopher Bergum, Copper Mountain Middle School
• Kristen Wahlin, Bastian Elementary School
• Allyson Nixon, Daybreak Elementary School
• Cynthia Running Thomson, Eastlake Elementary School
• Lydia Laputka, Golden Fields Elementary School
• Xingran Lu “Michael,” Mountain Creek Middle School
• Alyssa Murray, Welby Elementary School
• Elisabeth Thomas, Elk Ridge Middle School
• Kelly Giffen, Elk Meadows Elementary School
• Holly Humphrey, Jordan Ridge Elementary School

Their commitment to the health and physical wellness of students is evident in the important work they do each and every day. Now, several Jordan School District teachers are being honored by the Utah Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) with some of the organizations most prestigious awards.

• West Jordan Middle School health teacher, Kathy Howa, received the “Linda Mayne Lifetime Achievement Award” at the SHAPE Conference on Monday, March 10. The award was presented by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Syd Dickson. The “Linda Mayne Award” honors the great legacy left behind by Linda Mayne, a longtime educator dedicated to inspiring healthy bodies and healthy minds in students through physical education and health education.
• Samantha Jenkins, Copper Mountain Middle School, was awarded “Teacher of the Year, Health Education.”
• Jenny Rossen, Sunset Ridge Middle School, was selected “Teacher of the Year, Secondary Physical Education.”

Since its founding in 1885, the SHAPE organization has defined excellence in school-based health education and physical education.

Congratulations to these amazing Jordan School District educators for the excellence in their work supporting student health and wellness.

It is the surprise of a lifetime for some Jordan School District teachers who are being honored in a 68-school tour with the Jordan Education Foundation showing up and recognizing the 2025 “Outstanding Educators of the Year.” The educators are being honored as “All Stars” for their winning ways in supporting students and giving them opportunities to reach their highest potential on the road to success. All of the teachers are nominated by colleagues, their peers, and/or parents.

Congratulations to the following “Outstanding Educators” honored on Monday. Stay tuned, more teacher honorees to come all week long!

• Lisa Wadzeck, JATC North
• Alesha Schulzke, South Hills Middle School
• Mackenzie Brown, Juniper Elementary School
• Erika Winegar, Foothills Elementary School
• Diana Rose, Blackridge Elementary School
• Kimberly Mendenhall, Fort Herriman Middle School
• Shelly Rogers, Buterfield Canyon Elementary School
• Jennifer Jameson, Herriman Elementary School
• Stephanie Reesor, Oakleaf Elementary School

Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School transformed into a vibrant hub of literacy and fun on March 6, as students, families, and staff gathered to celebrate Read Across America Week with a superhero-themed Literacy Night. This event, aimed at promoting literacy and fostering a love for reading among students, was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic participation from the entire school community.

Students, dressed in their favorite superhero attire, eagerly explored a variety of literacy-themed stations designed to ignite their imaginations and enhance their reading skills. Families enjoyed a pizza dinner, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and connect with fellow community members. Face painting stations transformed attendees into their favorite superheroes, while letter writing and comprehension games provided interactive learning experiences.

The event also featured a booth from the Salt Lake City Library, offering students the opportunity to sign up for library cards on the spot. Parents and children alike were thrilled to gain access to a world of books.

The Literacy Night was a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning. Check out more about Rocky Peak Virtual at the school website. https://rockypeak.jordandistrict.org/

Congratulations to Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School teacher Krista Gibbons, who was presented with an Innovative Teacher Award by the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology. The Innovative Teacher Award is given to a teacher in each school district who employs new or novel teaching practices that contribute to student learning.

Krista engages her Social Studies students in tech-based projects that address real-world issues, encouraging critical thinking and innovation. She encourages colleagues to explore technology use in their classrooms and is the first to volunteer to test a new program or implement a new curriculum.

Thank you Krista for your contagious enthusiasm and congratulations on a well-deserved award!