{J. Statler} Jeff Statler
Science/Chemistry
Kearns Senior High

"I enjoy teaching so much because of my wonderful students’ excitement and curiosity towards learning and discovering the principles and events in science and math.”

Jeff Statler is the consummate professional. He is an outstanding teacher with whom students connect on many different levels. He teaches his students the importance of critical thinking and understands how students learn, realizing that our young learners are in constant need of new and innovative methods of instruction. Not only is Jeff an outstanding classroom teacher, he is a teacher interested in staying current with scientific pedagogy, staying current with not only teaching methods but with new scientific research. Jeff Statler is an exemplary teacher who represents the teaching profession well with his calm and steady demeanor and his dedication to integrity.

“My students often have a youthful, fresh attitude about learning, which creates quite a wonderful environment. I am a teacher primarily because I enjoy working with young students. I enjoy hands-on demonstration activities that facilitate discovery and learning in many applications. I hope I model patience, the ability to listen, empathize, fairness, good humor (in good taste) and consistency.”

{K. Giles} Kristie Giles   
5th grade
Jim Bridger Elementary

"I teach because I love learning and developing a love of learning in my students.”

Kristie Giles is a master teacher who knowledge and expertise is valued among the faculty and staff. She approaches her teaching responsibilities with a positive attitude and a dedicated professionalism. She is very perceptive of her students’ needs as she works to create a safe classroom learning environment which fosters inclusiveness and achievement while differentiating for the individual. Kristie uses a variety of instructional strategies that not only supports core curriculum, but also challenges students with high-interest class instruction. Her daily actions embody the philosophies and characteristics of an accomplished professional leader whose focus advocates, nurtures, and sustains a culture for learning.

“I enjoy discovering new information and skills and passing that information and skills on to my students. It is their eagerness to learn that keeps me motivated to teach. As we are both students, learning together, it is fun to watch their understanding grow. I am a teacher to enlighten, engage, and create growth in my students as well as myself.”

{V. Pettinger} Valerie Pettinger
2nd grade
Fox Hills Elementary

"I enjoy teaching and feeling the
children’s pride in their accomplishments as they master something new.”

Valerie Pettinger is an exemplary teacher, knowledgeable educator, and gifted leader. Her positive influence impacts students, parents, teachers, support staff and administration. Valerie is always quick to point out her students’ strengths and plans opportunities to build upon their assets. She considers the whole child and helps each grow socially, emotionally and academically. Valerie is a true professional who treats all co-workers as professionals. She brings out the best in others and always elicits respect and loyalty. She is a great example through her depth of knowledge and the power of her conviction regarding what is best for students.

“I am a teacher because I love children. I enjoy being around them (they make me laugh), and I look forward to going to school every day. I love teaching today just as much as I did the first day I stepped into the classroom 31 years ago. I teach for the little things that happen every day like watching a child’s face when he or she is puzzled or full of wonder. I enjoy feeling their excitement to learn something new, or noticing how proud they are of their accomplishments.”

{Y. Pevzner} Yevgeny Pevzner
Science
Kearns Junior High

"I love teaching because every day is full of surprises and I love to see students’ personal achievements and their desire to learn.”

Yevgeny Pevzner is a teacher who doesn’t just instruct, he inspires. His passion for his profession is clear. Mr. Pevzner believes that the nation has a profound obligation to provide every child, regardless of background, the opportunity to receive a first-rate education, and that teachers must ultimately be measured by student achievement. He writes grants and contacts businesses to raise money so that his students have the best supplies to do creative projects to learn about science. He helps with every aspect of the school from sponsoring Academic Games and the science fair to helping with the school play and coaching soccer. No one could ever find a more dedicated teacher.

“I am a teacher because I like to wake up every day to see how I can help my students do well in life. I like to spend my time preparing my lessons so that every student, regardless of their ability, can love science. I am a teacher because I love challenges that every student brings to me. I am a teacher because I love moments when, after hard work, a student can explain complicated science concepts.”

{J. Frazee} Jennifer Frazee
Special Education
Harry S. Truman  Elementary

"The greatest joy for me in teaching is helping my students reach their full potential, even though they face some severe challenges.”

Jennifer Frazee teaches the severely intellectually handicapped and medically fragile students at Truman Elementary. Her classroom management is a study in “reaching the one”. Each student’s needs are individual and teaching them is a study in shaping while under great stress.  There is never a time when Jennifer isn’t professional, with the many para-professionals in her charge, the nurses and itinerant professionals in and out hourly, as well as the parents who just drop by to check on things. All the components necessary for a special child to flourish are found within her classroom. She is a fantastic teacher with great dimension in her abilities.    

“I went into special education in order to help change the lives of people with disabilities. I feel I am here to advocate for my students so that they may see all of their capabilities and participate to the full extent possible in the world around them. I believe that part of my job as a special education teacher is to educate others as to the abilities of students with challenges. I want to help others see my students as a regular part of their community.”

{J. Motzkus} Jennifer Motzkus
1st grade
Carl Sandburg Elementary

"As a Reading Specialist, my greatest joy is witnessing what I call “the reading power” of my students grow as we work together.”

Jennifer Motzkus dedicates her heart and soul to improving the reading skills of our most struggling students in grades K-3. She is never condescending which makes it easy to seek her expertise and learn from this master teacher. Her dynamic personality engages the students as she makes reading a magical experience for them as their skills improve. She has gone above and beyond her job description to help at-risk students in grades 4-6 by training teachers and aides to use programs which aid students with their reading comprehension and fluency. Jenny’s skill as a teacher and her knowledge of appropriate reading practice garner her high respect from the faculty and school community.

“I explored other possible directions, nothing truly appealed to me as much as teaching young children. I am happy to be in  at teaching climate where we as teachers collaborate to meet the needs of our students. To be in a position as a teacher, to share that enjoyment of learning with elementary aged children is a challenge I enjoy!”

{P. Smith} Pamela Smith
5th/6th grade
Oakridge Elementary

"I teach to exchange ideas and share moments; moments that can change lives depending on my reaction or actions.”

Pamela Smith is an extraordinarily enthusiastic teacher. She is innovative in technology and enriches all of her lessons with creative strategies to help all students be successful. Pam provides a motivating positive classroom environment where students love to learn. She is dedicated to teaching to the individual abilities of each child, helping them to learn life skills to help them grow up to be responsible, caring adults. As an advocate for children, she constantly strives to do what is best for each one. Pam willingly shares her talents and time not only to help students achieve their highest potential, but as a mentor to other staff. She is definitely an outstanding and creative teacher.

“While I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a teacher, as a young mother I began volunteering in my own child’s classroom. I enjoyed assisting the teacher to help children achieve their highest potential. It was at this time I knew I wouldn’t be as happy or fulfilled doing anything else with my life. I teach because I am allowed to see the stories behind my students’ faces. I teach to be a part of the magical moment when things “click.” I teach to share possibilities and potential with tomorrow’s leaders.”

{A. Thomas} Alan Thomas
Spanish
Olympus Junior High

"I feel that teaching provides a productive way to give to the future and be an influence for good in the lives of our students in the present.”

Alan Thomas has spent 28 years in education and is a master in this profession. He is creative and has the ability to motivate his students above the required expectations. Alan makes a difference with kids. He makes learning Spanish fun and has a relationship with his students that endears them to him. Alan has great rapport with the entire school and is well respected in the community. Through Alan’s direct influence the foreign language teachers have become more effective in instruction as well as classroom management. He always provides useful input and has the capacity to influence the culture and climate at Olympus Junior High. He definitely is an exceptional teacher!

“I am a teacher for two reasons. I feel that the greatest need of society is to influence the up-coming generations, to help them feel the importance and necessity of core values. Those values of integrity, responsibility, diligence and effort can be demonstrated by example and taught in a classroom setting using almost any subject. I am a teacher because I want to be a part of the process that helps a student grasp these values and use them in their personal development.”

{H. Hurd} Helen Hurd
2nd Grade
Oakwood Elementary

"I love to learn, therefore I love to encourage and inspire my students to learn, succeed, and grow.”

Helen Hurd is a National Board Certified Teacher of the second grade at Oakwood Elementary. She most definitely fits the category of “Master Teacher”. Helen is able to prepare and deliver excellent presentations that always promote the highest levels of thinking, involvement and learning. She is a master at differentiating the curriculum to meet individual student needs. She has an excellent knowledge of the curriculum and great instructional and leadership skills. Helen prepares lessons that are able to protect the delicate self esteem of all of her students. She is a powerful and effective communicator and commands the respect of parents and students – a model for education excellence.

“Being a teacher is the perfect venue to quench my love of learning and to hopefully help my students develop a love of learning as well. I am truly humbled by the powerful influence, as educators, that we have on children’s lives. It is an awesome responsibility that I do not take lightly. I think a teacher can destroy or build young lives. I always want to be a builder of young minds, an ally, a mentor, and a facilitator of learning.”

{S. Hullinger} Stephanie Hullinger
G.I.F.T.S.
Lincoln Elementary

"I love the saying that, “teaching is the greatest act of Optimism”, and working with students is an exhilaratingly daily adventure in optimism.”

Stephanie’s classroom is much different than the traditional classroom setting. Hers is a community from mountain range to mountain range and as far north and south as you can see. Stephanie is responsible for 80 -100 student IEP’s each year. Regardless of the amount of students she works with, Stephanie always takes the time that each student needs. She always has an open-door policy for all her students. Stephanie is seen very much as a team player and is highly respected by all those who come in contact with her. Stephanie has excellent interpersonal communication skills and performs exceptionally well in all aspects of her responsibilities. She is a real asset to the teaching profession.

“There is so much to teach and so little time! Transition encompasses a student’s whole life. Vocational skills, transportation, community awareness, independent life and safety skills are only a few areas that we teach. It is an overwhelming feeling to realize that G.I.F.T.S. is the “last chance” that public education will have to prepare a student for their life ahead.”
Her colleagues say, “ Stephanie is dedicated, meticulous and extremely organized in her efforts to serve students. Stephanie is a perfect blend of compassion, humor, knowledge, structure, flexibility and professionalism.”