It was an honor bestowed on two very deserving teachers in Jordan School District and a big surprise as well.

Lucia Martin, a Spanish DLI teacher at Herriman Elementary School, and Jeessica Bell’Aver, a Portuguese DLI teacher at Bluffdale Elementary School, were both surprised with DLI Teacher of the Year awards.

• Jessica Bell’Aver is described as an extraordinary Portuguese DLI teacher who has a dynamic teaching style which motivates students to excel. Ms. Bell’Aver demonstrates remarkable strength and commitment and has gone above and beyond creating engaging social studies lessons in English for the District and State. Her hard work, creativity, and passion for teaching have made a lasting impact on her students, school community and Jordan School District.
• Lucia Martin is described as someone with the unparalleled ability to elevate students’ Spanish proficiency across all subjects and make learning engaging and enjoyable. Lucia’s dedication and expertise have set a high standard within her school and she has exceptional classroom management skills enhancing her ability to foster a positive, vibrant learning environment. Visitors and observers are consistently amazed by her students’ enthusiasm and the obvious DLI strategies that she uses on a daily basis.

Please join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Lucia Martin and Jessica Bell’Aver for their outstanding contributions to their students, schools, and Jordan School District. Their passion, skills, and dedication remind us all of the transformative power of a great teacher.

He is described as kindness personified, someone who can build relationships, and gets along with everyone at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy.

Join us in congratulating the Jordan School District “Teacher of the Year,” Angus Douglas. Mr. Douglas is a sixth-grade teacher at Majestic Elementary and Principal Marianne Johansen says “he might just be the best hire of my career.” She says no matter how difficult a task may be for Mr. Douglas, his selflessness knows no bounds. In the classroom he maintains the highest growth scores at Majestic Elementary and some of the highest in the entire District.

Superintendent Godfrey surprised Mr. Douglas with the “Teacher of the Year” award in front of his family, friends, Board of Education members, and the entire school. Principal Johansen even performed a rap she wrote for Angus.

Congratulations, Angus Douglas! We wish you the very best competing for Utah Teacher of the Year.

It was a night of fun, dancing, photos, and fabulous memories. Kauri Sue Hamilton students dressed in their best with big smiles and gathered for their Starlight Dance Prom along with teachers, staff, and students from Riverton High School.

Thanks to everyone who made the incredible night possible, including Laura Taylor and the Riverton High School Peer Leadership Team for planning, decorating, and then dancing the night away with Kauri Sue students.

Also, a big thanks to Ross Rogers for deejaying, making the night so memorable with fantastic music!

It was a western themed Teacher Appreciation Week at Bastian Elementary School and the PTA made it clear it was cowboy “hats off” to all of the hard-working teachers. There were signs throughout the school declaring Bastian as having the best teachers in the west.  They had barrels of fun with their decorated doors. And, teachers were treated to a specialty soda shop which was almost as sweet as they are.

We hope everyone enjoyed a Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

They know their history and their knowledge paid off in a recent statewide competition.

Two entries in the National History Day state tournament took top honors and the exceptional winning teams were both from Jordan Hills Elementary School.

• Students Dani Smuin and Kora Weldon won for their project called “The 1900 Olympics: A Turning Point for Women in Sport.”
• Students Avyukt Agasthiya and Rakkshith Suresh won two awards for their project called “Walt Disney’s Impact on Animation.”

Linda Irick is the Jordan Hills teacher and coach for both teams and the students are now qualified to participate in the National History Day competition this summer in Washington, D.C.

What makes this even more amazing is the two winning projects came from 6th grade which competes in the “Junior Division” with 7th and 8th grade. The sixth-grade teams rarely place as often as the upper grades, let alone winning top honors!

Congratulations to these amazing students and their teacher/coach Ms. Irick who loves teaching and works so hard to give students opportunities to learn, explore, and grow.