By Jet Burnham | [email protected]

Members of the Jordan Education Foundation recognized some of the amazing teachers who have responded to the changes, anxieties and obstacles of this school year with amazing positivity and creativity as 2021 Educators of the Year. Educators were nominated by colleagues, students and parents who had this to say about these inspiring educators:

Antelope Canyon Elementary

Lisa Freeman, second grade

“Mrs. Freeman inspires me to be a better teacher by reminding me of the importance of being willing to learn new things.”

“I honestly don’t know how she does it, but she keeps in-person and on-line learning running smoothly and maintains a classroom blog. On top of that, children adore her, grow in her classroom and feel confident in their abilities in her care. She’s remarkable.”

Columbia Elementary

Kymberli Cosner, fourth grade

“Ms. Cosner has changed the lives of her students. No doubt about it, she is a teacher extraordinaire! Perhaps one of her greatest gifts to her students is the knowledge that they are valued because of their individual uniqueness. She believes that all students—even those who are drastically different from the mainstream—deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Cosner was also named Jordan School District’s Teacher of the Year by the district administration. She will compete with teachers from other districts for the chance to be named Utah State Teacher of the Year.

Copper Canyon Elementary

Brooke Stuart, fifth grade

“Brooke’s focus is on teaching the whole child. She cares about students learning life skills, as well as academic skills. Her attitude encourages students to learn how to take responsibility for their own learning and greatly increases their success.”

“Mrs. Stuart’s class is the best managed class I have ever seen! The students are respectful toward her and one another.”

Copper Hills High School 

Jacqueline Sheppick, Severe Special Education

“Jacqui Sheppick is the easiest person on the planet to adore. She is an all-around superstar teacher with a beautiful attitude and an absolute pleasure to know.”

“There are not many resources for a Severe SPED High School Teacher to use in the classroom. She created every piece of curriculum then [made] it accessible online and user-friendly for individuals with disabilities.”

Falcon Ridge Elementary

Kimberly Reynolds, first/second grade split class

“The anxiety and fear created for many students has been eliminated as she has created a positive culture with calm and reassurance.”

“She knows her students individually and is willing to talk about their hobbies, interests, TV shows, sports teams, etc., which helps develop personal relationships with each child.”

Fox Hollow Elementary

Lydia Fa'asu, sixth grade French DLI

“When school shut down last spring, Lydia worked with the team to develop ways for the students to access the core curriculum. Lydia stepped in and provided engaging lessons for virtual students in multiple grades.”

Hayden Peak Elementary

Lisa Martin, third grade

“Lisa has adapted well. She has worked hard to make the necessary changes for the year and also tries hard to keep things fun and engaging with the kids.”

“She is willing to do the new and hard things and do it with positivity. Even when I know it is difficult, Lisa is always a team player.”

“She is my third grade son’s teacher and on the school leadership team. In second grade, my son started hating school. I thought he wouldn’t recover from his bad experiences. In a very short period of time, after starting in Mrs. Martin’s class, my son reported that he enjoys school!”

Heartland Elementary

Laurie Ferrini, second grade

“This has been a particularly stressful year for everyone, and Laurie’s radiant smile has shone through it all. Because of Laurie’s happy and productive demeanor, students in her class are also known to be happy and productive.”

“She takes time to speak individually to students each day to make sure they know they are loved.”

JATC North

Becky Stone, Physical Therapy

“Becky is always positive. She is always trying to build people up.”

“Becky’s perseverance in making sure that kids are OK has helped many of them back onto a better path. Few teachers are willing to latch onto a kid the way Becky does.”

Joel P. Jensen Middle

Aaron Duncan, Science

“Aaron Duncan is a beacon of light that is positive and full of enthusiasm. [He] is a class act and someone that any individual could look up to and learn from.”

“Aaron is not just a skilled science teacher, but he is an adept actor, a creative comedian, and a tech-savvy tekki! He ended up spending hours creating entertaining and informative videos on so many important topics.”

Jordan Hills Elementary

Shelby Fisk, sixth grade online

“Shelby is selfless, hardworking, empathetic and will do anything for her students. She goes above and beyond in her planning, preparation and instruction. She has risen to the challenge of 2020–2021 and is a leader in online teaching.”

Majestic Elementary

Loran Ross, fourth grade

“You don’t even have to raise your hand when you need help. She just knows you need help. She teaches me until I get it. I know I can learn it when she helps me.”

“Ms. Ross has made my life happy again. She is kind. She smiles all the time. She makes me feel like I am important. I love coming to school again. I am glad I can be in her class. I am so lucky.”

Mountain Shadows Elementary

Megan Garcia, K-6 special education

“Mrs. Garcia has made a positive impact with the students she teaches. Parents have commented how impressed they are with Mrs. Garcia.”

“She’s great to work with and collaborates well with other teachers. I believe Mrs. Garcia is an Outstanding Educator and should be recognized for all that she does and continues to do.”

Oakcrest Elementary School

Kristen Stout, second grade

“Teachers like Kristen are the positive glue that holds a school together. They build community and provide a steadying force through administrative transitions. They model and teach best instructional practice to their peers and become the difference makers for every student that crosses their path. Every school needs teachers like Kristen.”

Oquirrh Elementary

Paul Pedler, P.E.

“[Mr. Pedler] has always been well-loved by the students, staff and families in our community. However, during the past year, he’s become an invaluable coach to all of us as we’ve been adapting and embracing continuous change as a team this year.”

Riverside Elementary

Rebecca Fenstermacher, fifth grade

“When March 2020 arrived, Ms. Fenstermacher rolled her sleeves up and boldly faced the challenge head-on. She went to work and unabashedly began learning and trialing different online teaching platforms. She didn’t settle for a watered-down version of what students were offered in-person.”

South Valley School

Nancy Neff, special education

“Nancy’s success stories are endless. She is positive, caring, hardworking, makes friends everywhere she goes, always has a smile on her face and always thinks first about what is best for the kids. Her kindness is genuine and contagious. She is always there for all of us.”

Sunset Ridge Middle

Melinda Mack, Social Studies

“Melinda has a sixth sense about students that need extra help. She pays attention. When she sees a student struggling, she jumps right in and figures out a way to help them.”

“Melinda has faced personal challenges that would make many people give up, but she always perseveres. Even when she has difficult days, she always reminds us and her students that tomorrow will be a chance to try again.”

“Nothing slows her down or discourages her.”

Terra Linda Elementary

Cassandra Lee, first grade

“She always has a great attitude and is great to be around. She goes above and beyond to help everyone feel welcomed and loved. She is very sweet and compassionate. I love listening to her teach and the kindness and professionalism she always shows. She truly cares about her students, families and fellow teammates.”

“Cassie Lee realized that her first graders were afraid, so to comfort them each night, she and her husband would record a bedtime story and post it in the classroom to watch. For three months, Cassie read each night, ending each story telling the students goodnight and letting them know how much she loved them.”

West Hills Middle School

Michael Draut, choir director

“He is very good at providing his students with a sense of purpose and a vision of what they can accomplish.”

“Mr. Draut didn’t think twice about the mountains he would climb with this task. He did it for the students.”

West Jordan Elementary

Chelsey James, sixth grade

“She gives all of her students and fellow staff hope. She accepts any changes thrown at her with a smile and a positive attitude. Her No. 1 goal is and has always been the students’ success.”

“Everyone loves Chelsey, and West Jordan Elementary wouldn’t be the same without her. She brings a smile, joy and new ideas to every meeting. She makes everyone around her feel strong through a pandemic and that even with all these obstacles we can still get the job done right for our students.”

West Jordan High School

Ron Halbert, Credit Deficient Coach, YIC

“In a year where so many people have risen to the challenge of making great things happen at WJH, coach Halbert stands above them all. Nominating coach Halbert as Teacher of the Year is endorsed by every department in our building because what he has accomplished and how he has affected real change in our school, affects every classroom, teacher and department. Ron Halbert has taken kids who have lost hope of ever graduating, who forgot how it feels to experience success, who grew disenchanted with how an education can make a difference and has taught them how to advocate for themselves, believe in themselves and how to work hard for success.”

West Jordan Middle

Amelia Rose, eighth grade math

“Amelia Rose cares deeply about her students and does whatever she can to help them.”

“Amelia Rose has been a cornerstone of support for students, teachers and staff throughout the school. She is always willing to adjust instruction, offer advice and help for colleagues and/or lead the intervention period team in seeking solutions to better assist students and teachers.”

“The world would be a better place if we had more Amelia Rose!”

Westland Elementary

Jolayne Heath, first grade

“The first word that comes to mind when I think of JoLayne is ‘nurturing.’ She asks questions, she listens, she remembers and she follows up. She cares! Her students reap the benefits of this outstanding trait, as do her teammates and colleagues. JoLayne is one of those rare, golden souls that makes the world around her a much better place.”

“I can think of no one more deserving of this prestigious recognition. She is the teacher that students remember forever.”

Westvale Elementary

Jenifer Palomin, second grade online

“She shows resolve in the most difficult of situations, and always seems to find a creative way to solve a problem from the perspective of doing what is best for children.”

“Mrs. Palomin is the perfect example of what each educator strives to be and who is driven wholeheartedly toward making the world a better place for our students.”

2021 JEF Outstanding Education Support Professionals:

Natalie Casper, administrative assistant, District Accounting

Debbie Soelberg, route coordinator, District Transportation

Clydine Carlson, administrative assistant/registrar, West Jordan High School

Bill Flint, head custodian, Riverside Elementary

Dave Hawkins, head custodian, JATC North Campus

RaeAnna Kirk, lead nurse, Jordan Hills Elementary

Tiffaney Marquez, administrative assistant, Westvale Elementary

Michelle Nielson, school administrative clerk, Copper Hills High School

Ruth Sowell, administrative assistant/attendance, Joel P. Jensen Middle School

Barry Watkins, head custodian, Columbia Elementary