It has been a week of special moments and big surprises as Jordan School District teachers receive “Outstanding Educator of the Year” awards from the Jordan Education Foundation.

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 Thursday. Stay tuned, more teacher honorees to come next week!

• Mindi Little, Copper Hills High School
• Evan Feinberg, West Hills Middle School
• Silma Bailey, Hayden Peak Elementary School
• Jodie Ball, Mountain Shadows Elementary School
• Angela Garside, Oquirrh Elementary School
• Rebecca Schaefer, Westland Elementary School
• William Shields, West Jordan Middle School
• Melanie Nelson, River’s Edge
• Nancy Hammond, Valley High School
• Grimanesa Perez, Riverside Elementary School

The surprises, along with some big smiles and a few tears, continued today as Jordan School District teachers are honored with the Jordan Education Foundation’s 2025 “Outstanding Educator of the Year” awards. 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 Wednesday. Stay tuned, more teacher honorees to come all week long!

• Jon Price, Oquirrh Hills Middle School
• Gina Nokes, Riverton Elementary School
• Ana Alcala, Hidden Valley Middle School
• Emily Baugh, Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School
• Kymberly Harrison “Kym,” Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School
• Sharman Holloway, Kings Peak Virtual High School
• Lisa Belliston, Mountain Point Elementary School
• Lisa Nielsen, Bluffdale Elementary School
• Marie Pestana, Rose Creek Elementary School
• Ashley Richens, Southland Elementary School
• Susan Warnock, Rosamond Elementary School
• Nicole Walbeck, South Jordan Elementary School
• Robyn Derbidge, Midas Creek Elementary School

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