She has a unique way of getting students excited about math, engineering and science in and outside of the classroom. Now an Oquirrh Hills Middle School educator is being honored for her teaching talents. Carly Stirland is MESA Teacher of the Year for the State of Utah. Ms. Stirland started the Math, Engineering, Science Achievement Club at Oquirrh Hills five years ago when she began her teaching career. Since then, there has been so much excitement surrounding the club and its fun educational activities – enrollment has gone from 54 to 136 students. Fellow educators say Ms. Stirland always has a positive and upbeat attitude and firmly believes more females are needed in STEM related fields.

Ms. Stirland is always challenging young minds. For example, in one classroom project she asked students to build a robot that would deliver notes to different teachers around the school. In another challenge, her ninth-grade engineering class had to design a high heel that would hold the student’s own weight, using only foam core. The students then held a red carpet fashion show during lunch.

Congratulations, Ms. Stirland. We are excited to see what the future holds for you and the students you teach.

They work tirelessly to support students in schools throughout Jordan School District and this week is set aside to say thanks. It is National School Counseling Week and we are so proud of the important work these professional men and women do each and every day.

School counselors have a tremendous impact helping students achieve success and plan for future careers. They are always there for students seeking advice or for those who simply need someone to listen. Each counselor serves hundreds of students and they make a difference in young lives with their kindness, counsel and understanding.

Please take the time to say thank you to your school counselor today.

Dixie Garrison, West Jordan Middle School, Utah Association of Secondary School Principals 2018 Middle School Principal of the Year.

She has been principal at West Jordan Middle School since 2013 and now Dixie Garrison is receiving statewide recognition for her work. The Utah Association of Secondary Principals has named Ms. Garrison a 2018 Utah Secondary Principal of the Year. She began her career in education as an art teacher at West Jordan High School and served in administration at Mount Jordan and South Hills Middle Schools.

Ms. Garrison is credited with launching a Growth Mindset initiative at West Jordan Middle, which according to school psychologist Olin Levitt, has changed the very nature of how teachers, psychologists and others work with students to help them learn and grow.

Congratulations! Ms. Garrison will now represent Utah in the national Secondary Principal of the Year competition.

Being a first grade teacher requires a high degree of organization, energy and patience. Silver Crest Elementary School teacher Chelsea Ottoson displays these positive characteristics and many others each and every day in her classroom. She has been nominated for recognition as LifeChanger of the Year, an annual award sponsored by National Life Group Insurance and their foundation.

Chelsea started at Silver Crest as a student teacher in 2011 and was hired the following year as a first grade teacher at the school in Herriman. In addition to her hard work in the classroom, Mrs. Ottoson spends countless hours before and after school, working with the children’s choir and helping with the school book club. She helps every student feel appreciated and brings a nurturing kindness to her classroom each and every day.

The national grand prize for the LifeChanger of the Year recipient is $10,000. Winners will be chosen by a selection committee, which will review comments from people who know and support the individual nominees. To support Chelsea Ottoson for this worthwhile recognition, visit her LifeChanger of the Year page and leave a comment of support about her!

At Valley High School, counselor Raylene Glover is regarded as life changer to hundreds of students who have attended the alternative school in Jordan School District. For her dedication to students and Valley High, Ms. Glover was nominated for recognition as LifeChanger of the Year, an annual award sponsored by National Life Group Insurance and their foundation.

Under Raylene’s direction, Valley High provides daycare and a maternity leave program so students can earn credit in school and still attend to their parenting commitments. She has helped many young women and young men with her counseling support and coordination of services, assisting these students in their efforts to pursue their educational goals. Ms. Glover also works with students in planning their post-secondary education, assisting them in applying for scholarships.

The national grand prize for the LifeChanger of the Year recipient is $10,000. Winners will be chosen by a selection committee, which will review comments from people who know and support the individual nominees. To support Raylene Glover for this worthwhile recognition, visit her LifeChanger of the Year page and leave a comment of support about her!