This year Granite Education Foundation celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Excel Award – an annual recognition of nine outstanding teachers and one outstanding administrator in Granite School District.
It’s tradition for the winners to be surprised in their classrooms by Superintendent Bates, Granite Education Foundation, and other special guests, which makes for some of the brightest smiles you’ve ever seen.
Here are your 2019 Excel Award winners:
Michelle Chester – Language Arts, Churchill Jr. High
“She is the best English teacher I’ve ever had. She really taught me well. I came to her class not knowing how to write an essay, but she made it really easy to comprehend the material.”
Molly Dingley – Spanish/PE, Evergreen Jr. High
“In Ms. Dingley’s class she keeps activities interesting and helpful. When students have difficulty, she offers time to help during lunch, after school, and before school. She goes out of her way to help keep students engaged in her class. Ms. Dingley’s hard work may go unnoticed by some students, but she is absolutely AMAZING!”
Stephanie Harris – Fourth Grade, David Gourley Elementary
“Mrs. Harris is a very kind, patient, and caring teacher. She was my teacher last year for fourth grade and she has been one of the best teachers I have had at Gourley. I wish she taught fifth grade so I could be in her class again.”
Lauren Merkley – English, Cottonwood High School
“She is an amazing teacher she’s so smart and friendly. She should be nominated because she’s outgoing and really knows how to connect with her students on a personal and educational level.”
Jennifer Millett – Kindergarten, South Kearns Elementary
“Mrs. Millett has spent countless hours helping her students become better students. She excels in laying a strong foundation for her students and they all move forward with the best Kindergarten experience around. We have had Mrs. Millett four times over the years, with the most recent last year. I followed Mrs. Millett with a school change because of the strong foundation she leaves with the kids. I feel that my daughter has a stronger foundation because of having Mrs. Millet.”
Levi Negley – English, Taylorsville High School
“Mr. Negley isn’t just a teacher, he is a motivator for many students. He not only makes learning fun and easy, he engages with every student and makes sure everyone is doing their best. He never fails to teach me something, I walk out of his classroom each time with something new, whether it be educational or personal. He will forever have an impact on my life and many of my fellow students.”
Rachel Pehrson – First Grade, Philo Farnsworth Elementary
“Rachel has consistently demonstrated leadership as a teacher that affects all of us and provides an example of a team player, school leader, and genuinely nice person. She is ahead of the tech curve and has already worked out bugs or put together systems that work, ahead of district rollouts. Any child who goes through Farnsworth first grade can read well. Rachel leads the first grade team to excellence and is a role model for all teachers, especially elementary.”
Jared Reynolds – Principal, Granite Connection High School
“Jared is an amazing administrator who always has the best interest of the students in mind and, at the same time, is helpful and incredibly supportive of his faculty and staff. When classes are not in session, he is in the halls talking with students. He knows their names and understands their situations.”
Samantha Vore – Math, Cyprus High School
“Mrs. Vore has been my math teacher all throughout junior high and high school. Every year that I have had her, she has gone out of her way to push students, make them feel loved, and eventually reach their fullest potential. Mrs. Vore is an angel among women and she deserves everything and more!”
Leah Wright – Fourth Grade, Gearld Wright Elementary
“I had her as my fourth grade teacher and she was the best in the school. She helped me when I needed it the most and was nice to me and everyone else. I think she deserves to be one of the winners of the awards. I had her three years ago and she is still my favorite.”