The world calls them “Teachers.” We prefer the term “Educational Rock Stars.”
Regardless of the monikers that may be applied, Canyons is amped for the District Teacher of the Year selection process, which culminates tonight, Tuesday, May 4, with announcement of CSD’s top teacher for 2021.
Coinciding with Teacher Appreciation Week, the announcement will be made at a 7:30 p.m. event at the new Performing Arts Center at Alta High, 11055 S. 1000 East.
Watch Live on CSD-TV
At the event, which will be held with COVID-19 wellness protocols, the Canyons Board of Education will present crystal awards to 48 teachers representing all schools and programs across the District. From that field, the District will choose one overall elementary school Teacher of the Year, a middle school Teacher of the Year, and one high school Teacher of the Year. Those three will receive $500.
From that trio, CSD’s top teacher, and the District’s nominee in the state Teacher of the Year program, will be selected.
The Canyons Education Foundation and Jordan Credit Union will give that teacher an extra $500.
The tradition of holding a community celebration to honor CSD’s Teachers of the Year resumed this year after a one-year hiatus because of last spring’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Indeed, countless hours of work and acts of patience and care have been carried out by Canyons District teachers in the year since COVID-19 upended life — and learning.
Since March 13, 2020, when then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced the “soft closure” of Utah schools to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, CSD educators have doubled-down on their dedication to their students, be they learning safely in-person or from remote locations.
Seemingly overnight, educators adapted to new environments and adopted new strategies to inspire achievement. As school started in the fall in the midst of a pandemic, CSD teachers welcomed students to safe, welcoming classrooms.
Even with masks covering faces, their cheer at being back with students again could not be contained. And the students learning remotely may have seem isolated from their peers — but they were certainly never alone. Day after day, our teachers logged on, reached out, and lifted up.
In a year unlike any other, when so many have gone above and beyond, it’s been a challenge for CSD school communities to select just one teacher as a nominee in Canyons District’s 2021 Teacher of the Year selection process, which for the first time includes a top teacher for online learning.
The Canyons District Teacher of the Year program is co-sponsored by the Canyons Education Foundation.
