{Kerry Moore} Kerry Moore
Vocal Music and German
Cyprus High

“Teaching gives me the opportunity to help students understand their world better; to help them learn how to become an essential part of that world; and to give them the tools with which to make their world a better place.”

The amount of time and extent of effort that Kerry Moore of Cyprus High School gives to his students is astronomical. Mr. Moore’s teaching schedule is comprised of a class each and every period of every day, teaching either German or Vocal Music. He has been teaching this rigorous schedule for many years, with no consultation periods. Mr. Moore is currently battling cancer, which has made him more determined to do everything he can to help students who suffer from any kind of problem, be it low self-esteem, physical handicaps, or other personal or family challenges. He uses every resource at his disposal to give students opportunities to experience the joy of learning and the application of that learning in real situations.

“The part my classroom and my teaching can play in my students’ success is only a drop in a bucket; but I hope that it will be a meaningful and memorable drop that will remain with them forever.”

{Rosalie Eyre} Rosalie Eyre
Instrumental Music
Matheson Junior High

“I work to motivate students to excel beyond what they perceive to be their full potential. It is my goal to make sure that each child knows that I believe in them.”

Music is an ideal vehicle to bind students of diversity into a cohesive unit as music demonstrates no discrimination. Rosalie Eyre of Matheson Junior High not only believes that, but integrates that philosophy in a most unique way. She has developed a percussion program serving hundreds of students. She purchased large garbage cans for the students because they could not afford drums and created a presentation where they file in carrying the cans and drum together in a marching band style. The students are disciplined, proud, and extraordinary. Ms. Eyre shows great dedication to the teaching profession as she provides free weekly private music lessons for students who are not able to afford them. Rose Eyre is energetic, works hard, and always puts in 120% of her effort for the students.

“Students may not remember everything I have taught them, but hopefully, every one of them will remember how much I believed in their success.”

{Launa Harvey} Launa Harvey
Principal
Monroe Elementary

“Education is a challenging and gratifying career. The pinnacle moment in teaching is sharing a student’s exhilaration when they achieve success – whether the student is a child, a teacher, or a parent.”

Monroe Elementary was recently recognized nationally as a Distinguished Title I school and as an example of superior Title I school programs – due in large part to the diligent work of its principal, Launa Harvey. Mrs. Harvey implemented school wide programs which began to solidify a focused vision and action. A critical component of her initiatives was her involvement as a principal in teachers’ professional development. She never expected teachers to learn or do anything that she was not willing to do with them. By being at their side as a learner, trust developed and she is better able to understand their concerns and help with problem solving. Teachers are learning from one another and receiving on-going coaching and mentoring to refine their teaching.

“Trusting relationships and a passion for learning enables us to do the daily work of providing meaningful learning for all students. I love this complex, multi-faceted and invigorating career in education.”

{Bev Dopita} Beverly Dopita
Coordinator, Young Parents Program
Granite Peaks

“Every ordinary person has a hidden 'extra' somewhere, and that makes them extraordinary!”

The Young Parents Program serves young women in the Granite School District that are either pregnant or have given birth to a child while in their high school years. But ordinary statistics don’t apply to this unique school because of the tremendous efforts of its coordinator, Bev Dopita. She insists on high academic expectations and her students have responded wonderfully. In the five years that Bev has been the driving force at this school, CRT scores have improved and the graduation rate has soared to a spectacular 70%, a figure that rivals and often exceeds traditional high schools where not every student is at high risk of school failure. Ms. Dopita is the perfect blend of disciplined task master and gentle nurturer. She is a warm and compassionate listener when students and staff need encouragement and hope or a gentle nudge.

“By creating a safe environment, expectations that are visible, a caring accessible staff, and necessary learning tools, our students can begin pursuing their dreams.”

{Carrie Luekenga} Carrie Luekenga
Second Grade Teacher
Academy Park Elementary

“I am a teacher because I love the excitement in children’s eyes. I love their stories and everything they tell me.”

For a true example of community leadership leading to positive change, look no further than to Carrie Luekenga, second grade teacher at Academy Park Elementary. Ms. Luekenga makes it a point to support all school and community functions. Not only does she serve as one of the four professional learning community chairs and on the school leadership team, she helped organize literacy and numeracy family nights, as well as a special information night for Hispanic families. She provides after school literacy classes to struggling readers and serves as the district liaison for students who are homeless. She is an enthusiastic, dedicated, willing, and respected teacher. No wonder she loves being a teacher – she has embraced the very essence of the title.

“I love telling people I am a teacher. They all have a comment about teachers that have affected their lives and are in awe of my ability to do my job – which they all say they could never do.”

{Heather Creel} Heather Creel
Elementary School Psychologist
Fox Hills Elementary

“My work with diverse and impoverished students inspires me, and seeing them rise above their challenges to find success is the best part of my job. I am intrigued by culture and the strengths that different cultures bring to the support of student growth.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to walk through the halls of Fox Hills Elementary and run into Heather Creel on her bike as she rides throughout the school delivering reading incentives for the “Road to Success” program. Nor would it be unusual to see her leading a group of students performing with hand bells, or coaching an after-school softball team. As school psychologist, Ms. Creel is concerned with the social and emotional well being of students, but she also understands that academic success is critical for students and encourages them to perform their best in the classroom. She has a gift for talking and interacting with children at their level and always has an excited smile for them. Her efforts truly make a difference in their lives.

“Working in a school, I begin each morning not really knowing what is going to happen! I love the spontaneity of being a school psychologist and I enjoy going to work every day.”

{Fran Loos} Fran Loos
Acct., Computer Tech., Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Marketing
Taylorsville High

“’He who teaches, learns’ (Latin proverb). It is my belief that if I succeed in giving others the love of learning, I will have succeeded.”

There are perhaps no other subjects that change faster than computers and the business world, and no one appreciates that more than Fran Loos of Taylorsville High. Ms. Loos teaches Accounting, Computer Technology, Marketing and the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism while continually striving to keep up on new technology. Ms. Loos is a teacher who holds the respect of her students, administrators, and fellow colleagues. She loves to teach because she herself had great teachers. She looks back with appreciation to teachers who influenced her. Because of that early mentoring, she now has a wonderful rapport with her students and creates a classroom that has a warm and friendly atmosphere conducive to learning. Those students will be the ones looking back in a few years with appreciation and admiration for her great work.

“I consider it a great honor and a trust to be part of a child’s education. Being a teacher enables me to enjoy memories from the past, experience a present that is exciting and challenging while working and planning for tomorrow’s future.”

{Giles Florence} Giles Florence
Language Arts/English
Olympus High

“I teach because I love learning, and because I enjoy and am energized by young people.”

As a boy, Giles Florence got restless in class after long periods of sitting, so as a teacher he learned to pace students’ attention span with variety. Because of his love of great poetry, he will at times simply break out in a recitation of something by e.e. cummings or Shakespeare, or if something fits, he’ll pick up the guitar and play a song that makes the point. Both of these can have the effect of changing the energy in the room, and usually the whole atmosphere can be charged with images or ideas that refresh and direct thinking in new ways. Mr. Florence and his wife raised their children believing that “all children are gifted, but some just open their presents earlier than others.” He hopes to radiate the delight that learning brings him and then let students receive it at the level they are prepared for.  

“I teach because I love words, ideas, poetry, and serious thought; and I find great satisfaction in helping others discover that same love. I teach because I am concerned that serious thought in our society has gotten side-railed by vapid entertainment, and when that happens in a society there has always been a decline.

{Heidi Jones} Heidi Jones
Second Grade Teacher
Crestview Elementary

“I know that 8 year old egos are fragile and personalities impressionable. I treat each of my students as I would want my own children treated, with great care and unconditional love.”

With three generations of Utah teachers in her family tree, Heidi Jones was born into education. Her creative ideas have students dress up like honorable, famous people and pretend they are in a “wax museum.” After learning about their virtuous qualities, the students “become” the famous people. Parents stroll through the “museum” reading the stories and listening with awe to the greatness in the students themselves. When the difficult boy in her class reaches out to another by hanging up a child’s coat, or giving up the ball at recess to someone, or offering a kind word, she has great hope in his future and the future of other children like him. There is so much good in every child and Ms. Jones believes being able to recognize and acknowledge that goodness is a joy.

“I am a teacher because I love children. It’s hard, yet tremendously satisfying to teach. When one can do this and laugh every day for 180 days a year, it’s a pretty great job.”

{Julie Wallace} Julie Wallace
Guidance Counselor
Granite High

“I am a counselor because I care about kids. There isn’t anything better than taking a kid who is struggling, giving them tools, building their confidence and watching them learn, and most importantly, succeed.”

Step into the halls at Granite High School and you step into a world where over twenty different languages are spoken. It’s in this world that Julie Wallace not only thrives, but excels in reaching her students. Ms. Wallace is an amazing advocate for a population loaded with high risk students. One of her objectives is to support fellow educators by helping their students. She tries to remove obstacles that hinder students’ progress so they can continue to learn and succeed with their education. She started the “Granite Rack”, which has donated coats, socks, and hygiene items that she frequently gives kids to supplement what they cannot financially provide for themselves. She says that “sometimes working as a counselor at Granite is like nailing Jello to the wall”. If that is true, she is a master at it.

“I can’t imagine a job without kids. They are spontaneous, entertaining and smart. There isn’t anything as rewarding as working with a kid and seeing their excitement when they learn something new.”

{Monica Montes} Monica Montes
Fifth Grade and School Technology Specialist
Woodrow Wilson Elementary

“I have a job where the days zoom by, small victories turn into long-term knowledge, and I know my presence and efforts are truly making a difference.”

Establishing a connection and creating a positive relationship with challenging students is a special gift Monica Montes has in her work as a Fifth Grade Teacher and School Technology Specialist. Ms. Montes went through a rigorous interview process to be selected for the district’s model school. Her students know that failure is not an option and she does everything in her power to help them succeed. She brought such events as the Science Fair and Red Ribbon Week back to Woodrow Wilson and has unlimited energy and enthusiasm. She purposely teaches in an area of high need, diverse, low socioeconomic families because she feels that the students need her in their lives as a consistent, fair adult, and a motivator towards success.

“Students come to school each day to feel safe, and willing and excited to learn. I celebrate the fact that I am a part of their lives, and feel it is my privilege to work with them.”