From its founding days, the Canyons District community has invested in its schools with passion, creativity, and a mindset that anything is possible. The winners of the 2023 Apex Awards are among those who have gone above and beyond in CSD’s collective quest to rise above, strive to make a difference, and lift the children of Canyons as they reach for their dreams through education. Each year since 2010, the Board of Education and Administration have recognized stellar employees, volunteers, and business partners with Apex Awards, the highest awards presented by the District. The winners received their lead crystal awards during a Tuesday, Oct. 26 ceremony at Alta High. The Canyons Board of Education and Superintendent, who select the winners, express deep gratitude to this year’s honorees for their excellence, commitment and leadership.
2024
TEACHER of
THE YEAR
Kevin Clyde
2024
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR of
THE YEAR
Colleen Smith
2024
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR of
THE YEAR
Cindy Hanson
2024
EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS of
THE YEAR
Sara Cook
2024
COMMUNITY PARTNER of
THE YEAR
South Valley Chamber
2024
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROFESSIONAL of
THE YEAR
Jen Gerrard
2024
VOLUNTEER of
THE YEAR
Jessica Davies
2024
ELECTED OFFICIALS of
THE YEAR
Molly Hart
2024
LEGACY AWARD
Mont Millerberg
From its founding days, the Canyons District community has invested in its schools with passion, creativity, and a mindset that anything is possible. The winners of the 2024 Apex Awards are among those who have gone above and beyond in CSD’s collective quest to rise above, strive to make a difference, and lift the children of Canyons as they reach for their dreams through education. Each year since 2010, the Board of Education and Administration have recognized stellar employees, volunteers, and business partners with Apex Awards, the highest awards presented by the District. The winners received their lead crystal awards during a Tuesday, Oct. 22 ceremony at Union Middle. The Canyons Board of Education and Superintendent, who select the winners, express deep gratitude to this year’s honorees for their excellence, commitment and leadership.
Kevin Clyde says his drive to be in a classroom every day is as intrinsic to him as the beat of his heart or the color of his eyes. “Teaching is not what I do,” says the Alta High mathematics teacher. “It’s who I am.” Perhaps his personal philosophy about his profession is the major reason why so many Alta High students unabashedly declare their love of his classes, even in a subject that is often avoided for its rigor and precision. Clyde, the 2024 Canyons District Teacher of the Year, earns the respect and admiration of students by building connections with gentle praise as he guides students to use their base of knowledge, logic, and intuition to find exact answers to challenging questions. Seen from another perspective, it’s as if he’s dispensing lessons for a successful life with every assignment: Think hard, be resilient, learn from mistakes, and work together to solve problems. Colleagues call Clyde an innovative teacher who eschews traditional lectures with hands-on lessons in small groups or on whiteboards tacked to the classroom walls. He’s also led the Math Modeling Team to national recognition and rankings. “The world we live in is crazy sometimes, but kids don’t know that,” Clyde says. “They need people to love them, I hope fellow teachers never forget that.” It all adds up to this: Through his mathematics instruction, Clyde is making an exponential impact on the lives of students at Alta High. For these reasons, and many more, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are honored to present the 2024 Apex Award for Teacher of the Year to Kevin Clyde.
Each month at Copperview Elementary, students are recognized with “Exemplary Cougar” awards for being safe, kind, and responsible learners. They are cheered by their peers, a celebratory phone call is made to their parents, and photos are showcased of the awardees, grinning from ear to ear and gripping their certificates of achievement. It’s a small gesture, but a piece of the whole for Principal Colleen Smith who has worked for the past year to bring Copperview out of turnaround status by building a culture where everyone has value and believes in their potential to succeed. In true “Ted Lasso” fashion, Smith, like the fictional soccer coach of Apple TV fame, knows this: in a world where wins and losses determine success, the greatest victory is believing in oneself. To be sure, it takes hard work to surmount the odds a Title I school faces, from homelessness to hunger. But when teachers believe their students can rise to high expectations, students start to believe, too. At Copperview Elementary, that belief has translated to 100 percent retention of faculty this year. It has generated more parent engagement, and has meant huge gains in student attendance and math, reading, and science scores. Copperview, in fact, showed the most growth last year in math of any elementary school in Canyons District. What Smith views as the greatest victory, however, are the results of surveys, which show students internalizing the Cougar Way. “At site visits, our students would tell external reviewers, ‘At our school, we are safe at recess,’ or ‘We play together and include everyone and work hard in the classroom,’” Smith says. “We have the best students in the world. I was going to say the entire District, but I really think, the entire world.” For her belief in, and desire to see, the very best for all students, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are honored to present Colleen Smith with the 2024 Apex Award for School Administrator of the Year.
Having grown up in a remote area of Montana — the only girl in a family with seven boys — Cindy Hanson looked to her mom for guidance and inspiration growing up. “My Mom was a teacher and I tried to do everything my Mom did,” Hanson recalls. “So by 12, my course was set. I was going to be a teacher and I just followed that path and never looked back.” In 40 years of working in education, including 29 in the classroom, Hanson never regretted that choice. Her career brought purpose and meaning to her life, even in retirement as she continues to work as a school-improvement consultant. Her skills and never-say-quit attitude also helped shape Canyons into the world-class District it is today. Whether serving in high school and middle school administrative posts, or as Director of Middle Schools, Hanson was someone her colleagues could always count on. A hard worker and consummate professional, she provided crucial guidance during the pandemic and helped lead the way to Canyons receiving districtwide accreditation. But colleagues remember her as someone who brought the fun. “She and I came into the District Office together right as COVID hit and it required the two of us, in a lot of ways, to kind of rally around one another,” says Assistant Superintendent Dr. McKay Robinson. “It seems like, no matter what, when I would show up to work, she always had a smile on her face. It was that approach that made all the difficult decisions doable.” Hanson is grateful for her time at Canyons and misses the work, but mostly the people. “I’ve worked with amazing, amazing people who have inspired and motivated and mentored me along the way,” she says. Her colleagues miss her, too, especially her optimism, which shone like a beacon in the toughest of times, and made her the Canyons Board of Education’s and Administration’s obvious choice for 2024 District Administrator of the Year.
Take a walk through the halls of Brighton High School and it will become immediately clear the person in charge of keeping those halls sparkling clean takes immense pride in their work. That person is Sara Cook, and her commitment to cleanliness is as strong as her work ethic. “When parents walk into the school, I want them to see its beauty and to feel comfortable and proud about this school their kids go to,” Cook says. Keeping up with 2,300 students and nearly 300 faculty and staff members is enough to keep anyone on their toes. But for Cook, who has served school communities for 29 years, it’s exactly what she likes. “I like to be busy, it’s very important to me and I like to help students and parents prepare for a musical, sport, or dinner. I like to make people happy. I have a lot of energy, and I like to see my school be the best.” Cook’s pride in her work shines through at each of the Canyons schools she has worked at since the District’s inception. She strives to help teachers with whatever they might need as quickly as she can. “Our teachers are the best and they are so good with me, as are my administrators.” The feeling is mutual throughout the Bengal community. Brighton Principal Marielle Rawle says to know Sara is to love her. “I really don’t know anyone who works harder, or who takes more pride in their job than Sara Cook does.” Rawle has watched as Cook mentors her team and helps them to reach their goals, even if that means they move on to become a lead at another school. “She is one of the kindest people I know,” says Rawle. “She cares about every single person at Brighton, from her employees to the students, our administration team, and sports teams.” Rawle says Cook goes above and beyond for her employees, even providing them a place to stay if need be. “I could not win this award if it weren’t for my crew,” Cook says. “They work so hard to keep things nice and clean and provide service for our teachers every single day.” It’s for all these reasons, and so many more, that the Board of Education and Administration are pleased to present the 2024 Apex Award for Education Support Professional of the Year to Sara Cook.
With her nursing acumen, Jen Gerrard could have easily found a role in a frenetic ER, tending to trauma patients facing potentially fatal conditions. Instead, the soft-spoken medical professional turned her attention to ensuring the health and wellness of our community’s children. School nursing is where she’s chosen to direct her considerable skills and calming bedside manner to good use. As the coordinator of Canyons District’s school nursing program, she’s turned her passion for helping CSD students and their families become healthier — regardless of their circumstances — into a well-oiled wellness machine powered by CSD’s school nurses. Led by Gerrard, CSD’s nurses regularly conduct vision exams, administer insulin to diabetic students, maintain a database of Student Health Care Plans, render first aid to students and employees, and provide training on topics ranging from CPR to the administration of EpiPens. Gerrard’s focus on serving as a resource to CSD families is apparent in the success of CSD’s vaccination program. By partnering with the Salt Lake Health Department and the federal Vaccines for Children, CSD nurses provide a free option for families in need of required vaccinations so that children don’t contract vaccine-preventable diseases — and don’t miss school for noncompliance with vaccination laws. Gerrard also has been a key player in CSD’s launch of a pilot telehealth program, which uses technology to connect students with a healthcare provider without having to leave school for the day. Such programs reduce absenteeism by alleviating the need to leave school for a doctor’s appointment and by getting needed care to students swiftly so that, if they do need time away to recuperate, they can return to school more quickly. It’s for these reasons, and many more, the Board of Education and Administration are honored to present the 2024 Apex Award for Student Support Services Professional of the Year to Jen Gerrard.
Building relationships is one of the most memorable parts of a student’s education. Those relationships with students and the community are at the forefront of the mission of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce “We are building future business leaders,” says South Valley Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Francis. “I think it’s important for businesses to support education. I also think it’s important for students to be able to have opportunities to rub shoulders with businesses and business leaders. Because someday they’re going to grow up and some of them want to be in business, and maybe it’ll help them have a better view of different opportunities.” Since CSD’s founding, the South Valley Chamber of Commerce has provided educational opportunities for students who have their eyes on exciting careers in entrepreneurship, launching a family storefront, or running a major corporation from the C-suite. The Chamber has served as the conduit from the classroom to companies, and the results have been astounding. Some of the state’s young business leaders have honed their skills by participating in the Chamber’s “Shark Tank” program, which is patterned after the popular television show of the same name and asks students to pitch business plans to local corporate leaders. Another effort is the Junior Women in Business initiatives, which helps young girls network, seek mentors, and gain experience by shadowing successful women. The chamber also helps to raise funds for students through their partnership with the Canyons Education Foundation. Through their tireless work to support businesses that greatly contribute to the tax base of the District, while also serving as an invaluable incubator for business-minded students, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are proud to present the 2024 Apex Award for Community Partner of the Year to the South Valley Chamber of Commerce.
As many volunteers do, Jessica Davies began volunteering at Alta View Elementary to be involved in the education of her children. What kept her coming back, even after her children had moved on to other schools, is her embrace of the philosophy of early childhood researcher Lilian Katz, who once said, “The good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life is also secure for all other people’s children.” It’s a motto she placed at the heart of her work as a volunteer — and now, as a support assistant at Alta View. “Working with children really resonates with me,” says Davies. “I just love seeing all the kids growing up every day, and the people who work at this school are absolutely incredible. Getting to spend time with such amazing people every day is really rewarding for me.” Principal Scott Jameson says Davies’ contributions, from her role on the Road Runners’ PTA and School Community Council, are too numerous to count. She put her photography skills to work marketing Alta View, and spearheaded the school’s most successful fundraisers. With the money raised, the school purchased attendance incentives, which doubled attendance at the school. Never one to watch from the sidelines, she’s the kind of person who sees a need and fills a need, and her infectious enthusiasm encourages others to step up as well. “Year after year she has consistently helped our school be successful,” Jameson says. “She has volunteered, spent hours recruiting other volunteers and has made our school a community, a family, and a place where it’s wonderful to teach, a place where it’s wonderful to learn.” For these, and countless other reasons, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are proud to present Jessica Davies with the 2024 Apex Award for Volunteer of the Year.
As an educator with more than 20 years of experience, including lauded stints as principal of Canyons District’s Mount Jordan and Albion middle schools, Dr. Molly Hart knows first-hand how Utah laws and rules impact the classroom. Within moments of reading proposed legislation or reviewing suggested new statewide teacher-licensing policies, Hart can spot and articulate how the state’s teachers, principals, and paraeducators would be affected, both positively and otherwise, by the proposals. This “educator lens,” as she calls it, is among the skills and talents she brings to her position as an elected member of the Utah State Board of Education, which oversees Utah’s public education system. During her tenure on the state board, an unprecedented number of education-related bills have been proposed during legislative sessions, politically driven culture wars have influenced public discourse about schools, and Utah public schools were faced with the fallout from the legislature’s vote to start the state’s first voucher program. But even in times of turmoil, Hart’s creative approach to problem-solving, honed by her years as a school administrator, has proven beneficial for her constituents, a significant number of which live in Canyons School District. Rare is the issue that Hart views strictly as a “yes or no” proposition. To her, the answers to complicated questions aren’t found in divisive dialogues or defensive diatribes. Instead, they are found in the margins, where the common ground of oppositional sides often intersect. As for her foray into the world of politics, she sought her position to make a difference, to give back, to do more on behalf of the educators and support staff who bring schools to life. “I wanted to do more. I didn’t want to navigate the expectations after they were implemented. I wanted to be on the state board so that principals and teachers didn’t have to navigate the issues and manage the paperwork over being with parents and being with students,” she says. “I want, still to this day, to make a difference in the daily work that teachers and principals do in Utah.” It’s for all these reasons, and many more, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are proud to present the 2024 Apex Award for Elected Official of the Year to Dr. Molly Hart.
“The magic is in the classroom.” Mont Millerberg’s oft-repeated philosophy that guided his decision-making on the Canyons Board of Education has become a mantra for those who honor his memory by taking to heart CSD’s vision of ensuring that every child in Canyons has access to a world-class education. While the Canyons family continues to grieve Millerberg’s unexpected passing in early 2024, his legacy as a fierce advocate for public education, especially for schools in Midvale City, will live on for generations. Millerberg made history when he was elected in 2008 to the inaugural Canyons Board of Education, which bore the responsibility of overseeing the fledgling years of the first new school district to be created in Utah in nearly a century. Millerberg, a proud graduate of Hillcrest High, was re-elected to the Board of Education in November 2016 and again in 2020, making him one of the most-tenured public officials in CSD history. In addition, Millerberg was instrumental in launching the Canyons Education Foundation, the fundraising arm of the District. Millerberg’s commitment to his constituents is apparent in the fact that nearly every Midvale-area school has been rebuilt or renovated in the past 14 years. In fact, during Millerberg’s time on the Board, CSD invested $270 million, or roughly 35 percent, of its bond money on improvements for Midvale-area schools. Rare were the times when Millerberg was not seen cheering for his beloved Huskies on the playing fields or performing stages, and he was unflagging in his commitment to increasing teacher and support-staff compensation, the wise expenditure of public funds, and safety and security measures at all CSD schools. For his unparalleled commitment to Canyons District, the Board of Education and Administration is tremendously honored to present the 2024 Legacy Award to Mr. Mont L. Millerberg.
9361 S. 300 East
Sandy, Utah 84070
801-826-5000
communications@canyonsdistrict.org
IIn military parlance, Eastmont Middle Principal Stacy Kurtzhals charged forward in the role of a lead-from-the-front general when the Sandy school was shuttered in the bitter cold of Winter Recess after crews replacing hallway tile kicked up particles of asbestos. That is never good news, but in the waning hours of the holiday break, decisive leadership and quick wits were required to create and put into place a plan to respond to the emerging facility-condition crisis. With Kurtzhals at the helm, the Eastmont school community did a precision-like pivot to
remote learning for the first few days of January, and when it became apparent the mitigation effort would be so extensive that personnel would not be allowed back into the building within a short timeframe, Kurtzhals and her team went into action to create a temporary new home for the Patriots. With nary a complaint or a break in stride, they converged on a once-shuttered middle school to ready it for Eastmont students, teachers, and staff. In mere days, the classrooms, hallways, commons areas, the gymnasium, and lunchroom of the old Crescent View Middle building, where Kurtzhals once worked as an assistant principal, were spit-shined for students who were anxious to return to in-person learning. It was a heavy lift, for sure, and required a no-job-is-too-big-or-small mentality by not just Eastmont personnel but the District Office departments who lent a hand. By all accounts, thanks to Kurtzhals’ leadership and positive attitude, the sudden and unexpected move was a success. Throughout the tumult, Eastmont students continued to shine. Even as they were forced to move schools mid-year, they earned some of the highest year-end assessment scores in Canyons. In fact, Eastmont’s sixth-grade English Language Arts results were the highest in the District. Parents and employees say they appreciated Kurtzhals’ constant advocacy of the community and steady communications throughout the winter and spring, especially when students were able to return to the building to take last walks down the hallways before leaving Eastmont for their high school years. Says one parent: “She is a fantastic leader, and while she takes her job seriously, she has so much fun doing it. As a result, Eastmont is not only a great educational environment, but also fun and welcoming.” It’s for these reasons, and many more, the Board of Education and Administration are honored to present the 2023 Apex Award for School Administrator of the Year to Stacy Kurtzhals.
Two days. That’s how long Canyons District’s Nutrition Services Department was given to solve the problem of how to serve breakfast and lunch following the Friday March 13, 2020 “soft closure” of Utah’s schools. The COVID-19 outbreak had just been declared a pandemic. Schools were mobilizing to keep students learning from home. But more immediately, knowing that without school meals many students would go hungry, there was the problem of keeping students fed.
“It was a scary time, because we didn’t really know much about the virus,” recalls Nutrition Services Director Sebasthian Varas. But his team jumped into action and by Monday, they were ready. While most Utahns were working from home and heeding orders to avoid exposure, CSD’s cafeteria workers masked up and showed up to prepare and package sack meals and deliver them into the hands of families at grab-and-go sites throughout the District. With worker shortages, every one played a role, from securing increasingly scarce supplies to meal planning and prep. It wasn’t easy. But there’s pride in knowing not a single school day went by without meal service, which Varas credits to the courage and heart of his employees who served nearly seven million meals during the pandemic. “This is not just a meal service program. This is a people-oriented program,” Varas said. “We care about what we do and we care for each other.” For the essential connections they maintained with students during the pandemic, and continue to nurture every day, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are honored to present the 2023 Apex Award for Education Support Professional of the Year to every worker in CSD’s Nutrition Services Department.
They say the way to the heart is through food. It should be no surprise, then, that Tacos El Cuñado has earned the affection of thousands throughout the Salt Lake Valley for its savory Mexican cuisine served with a smile. The bright orange and red taco trucks, which quickly have become a favorite of Canyons District families, have become a familiar sight at school and community events. After the taco truck operators served food at Midvalley Elementary’s annual World Night, they approached then-Principal Jeff Nalwalker with an offer to sponsor a free taco activity at the school.
Since that event 10 years ago, owners Gabby Arreola and her husband, Josue Onofre, have fed students across the District, and they are dishing up more than food. With every dash of spice, the family pours their heart and soul into providing the best possible service to the community, especially when they roll up to a school for an activity. Josue Onofre’s brother and part-owner, Ever Onofre, says it’s important to encourage children to get an education — an opportunity he did not have in his formative years. Gabby’s daughter, Karla Farias, who attended the original Midvale Elementary, lights up when she talks about the family business and the chance to give back to the community. Like her parents, she loves to contribute to the growth and success of the District, one delicious taco at a time. For all these reasons, and many more, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are proud to present Tacos El Cuñado with the 2023 Apex Award for Community Partner of the Year.
If you ask Gretchen Zaitzeff what keeps her up at night, she’ll say, “the next chapter.” She was the kind of kid you’d catch late at night reading under the covers with a flashlight, unable to sleep without knowing what she’d find on the next page and the next — and it’s with that same curiosity and drive she approaches her job today. Like the deus ex machina of ancient Greek theater, Zaitzeff came on board as Canyons District’s library and media specialist at just the right time and with just the right attitude to resolve the growing problem of book challenges. She’s
proud of Canyons’ library policy, a legally sound solution that grew from collaborating with parents, librarians, administrators and members of the Board of Education. But she’s more preoccupied with “what’s next.” While navigating policy changes and book reviews, Zaitzeff also advocated to overhaul the outdated library collections at 30 schools. She expanded the “Book Blitz” reading competition to involve elementary students, updated school library websites to be more transparent and parent-friendly, and worked with her Instructional Supports Department colleagues to land a News Literacy Project grant to train teachers to teach students to be smart consumers of information. Librarianship, for Zaitzeff, is about helping “students learn to love reading and become conscientious consumers of information.” Preserving democracy, she says, depends on it. For her tireless efforts to build leaders from readers, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration can think of no one more deserving than Gretchen Zaitzeff to receive the 2023 Apex Award for Student Support Professional of the Year.
Rebecca Martin is the rare breed of volunteer who is in it to help everyone’s kids, not just her own. For the past 15 years, Martin, the Parent Teacher Student Association president at Hillcrest High, has invested countless hours in Canyons schools and the students who attend them. Her fellow volunteers are in awe ofat her ability to embrace every volunteer project, even those outside her comfort zone, with verve and positivity. From hauling supplies and cleaning up after student activities to wielding power tools and reconciling band records, she doesn’t shy from doing
what needs to be done to make experiences special for children. Other parents don’t hesitate to laud her work ethic and enthusiasm, saying she’s one of the greatest examples of effective and dedicated local PTA leadership they have ever encountered. Martin began her District-related voluntarism helping with the PTA’s annual Reflections contest. She jumped in with both feet — and never looked back. She served for two years as PTA at the elementary level, two years at the middle school level, and is now in her third year as PTSA president at Hillcrest High. True to form, Martin is soft-spoken when it comes to speaking about herself — but her passion shines through when she is advocating for students at every level, from individual schools all the way up to Utah’s Capitol Hill for PTA Day. Her heartfelt care for students, teachers, and public education is evident every time she walks into a school, and it’s easy to believe her when she says her work is all about ensuring the strength of public education for generations to come. In recognition of her selfless devotion to students across the years, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are proud to honor Rebecca Martin with the 2023 Apex Award for Volunteer of the Year.
In the 2023 General Session of the Utah Legislature, the Canyons District-area legislative delegation of Sen. Kathleen Riebe and Reps. Gay Lynn Bennion, Steve Eliason, and Andrew Stoddard stood valiantly in the battle to support public education. These four elected officials — three Democrats and one Republican — cast brave votes against HB215, which in effect created Utah’s first voucher system. The surprise House bill was rushed through in the first week of the session under suspended rules allowing lawmakers to approve it without the required wait time.
The four CSD legislators, who have been longtime supporters of not just Canyons District but the advancement of public education in all parts of the state, were among the few who represented the will of the vast majority of Utahns who have repeatedly repudiated proposals to funnel public money to private ventures. They stood with the generations of parents who have consistently chosen their local public schools as their preferred choice of education for their children. They raised their voices in favor of public schools as the engines of economic prosperity, launching pads for innovation, and centers for community unity. Public schools, after all, turn no one down, turn no one away, and turn up for the students who need just a little help to do big things. Looking back at the most recent legislative session, it’s hard to recall another year when public education was placed in so many crosshairs. Still, Riebe, Bennion, Eliason, and Stoddard stood strong in favor of supporting public schools. The political valor shown by these leaders on many education-related issues, including the vote against the voucher bill, is chief among the reasons the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are presenting them with the 2023 Apex Award for Elected Officials of the Year.
It makes sense that Bob Dowdle has lived at the base of Mount Olympus for most of his life. After all, Dr. Dowdle has been a titan in Salt Lake Valley public education for 35 years. In particular, the influence he’s had in Canyons District schools, where he served as one of the founding administrators, has been Herculean. Dr. Dowdle, the first-ever Assistant Superintendent in CSD, considers pursuing a career in education and working with children, their families, and fellow educators to be “one of the best life decisions I have made.”
In response, it’s not hyperbole to say the entire Canyons community has certainly benefited from that decision. Utah history books will undoubtedly recount Dowdle’s major role in helping to build up the first new school district to be created in Utah in nearly a century. Leaving a solid principalship behind, he put his trust in building the future of Canyons as a member of the nimble and energetic start-up team. With nary a blueprint to follow, Dowdle was tasked with recruiting and hiring directors for nearly every department, serve as a stabilizing factor for employees uneasy about the future of the fledgling District, and speak truth to power in the legal battles regarding the vote to form the new school district. His was a heavy lift that could have carried a huge personal toll, but Dr. Dowdle pressed forward in his quiet but firm leadership style. Throughout Dowdle’s tenure as a top administrator in Canyons, CSD solidified its reputation as an innovative and responsive school system that takes seriously its charge to ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready. Under Dowdle’s watchful eye, graduation rates ticked upward, Canyons students outperformed their peers on year-end exams, and employees reported high rates of satisfaction and feelings of support. Dr. Dowdle is not one to take credit for such accomplishments and instead points to the hard work of his team for finding solutions, building bridges, and brainstorming the best ways to make once-impossible tasks very much possible. For his dedication to the vision and mission of Canyons District since its very first days, the Canyons Board of Education and Administration are honored to present the District’s highest honor — the Legacy Award — to Dr. Robert M. Dowdle.
Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org
If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added: “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!