Awards and Recognitions

CUES Teacher of the Year Award:

Trena Barlow, Wayne School District

Mrs. Trena Barlow has taught at Loa Elementary School in Wayne School District for 16 years. She graduated from SUU in 1998 with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Biology. She has since gone back to school and received a math endorsement. In her time as a classroom teacher, she has served on many school and district committees. She seldom shirks from a task. She is known as a school leader and mentor. She currently serves on the Wayne District Technology Committee and the school At Risk Team.  She is a member of Wayne Education Association and has served on our school Parent Teacher Organization. Mrs. Barlow has taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Mrs. Barlow was selected as Teacher of the Year in Wayne School District in 2014. When our school has had to combine classes due to teacher shortages or reduction in number of students, Mrs. Barlow often volunteers to teach large classes and she does it without complaint and is still able to get student results.

Over the course of the last few years, our 5th grade RISE and Acadience scores have continually seen growth with Mrs. Barlow as the lead in 5th grade. Mrs. Barlow uses task-based instruction and questioning techniques to elicit deep mathematical understanding and rich student discourse. Mrs. Barlow grew up with a high school science teacher for a father. This created her love for science. Conveying a love for science and creating inquiry lessons and activities for students are Trena’s trademarks.

Current and former students and parents laud Mrs. Barlow’s efforts to create a supportive and inclusive environment in her classroom as well as school wide. Mrs. Barlow is an asset to Wayne School District, the education community and makes a difference in the lives of the students that she teaches.

 

NUES Teacher of the Year Award:

Jolene Christensen, Ag. Teacher at South Summit High School

 

Jolene grew up in Manila, Utah. She played sports and was very involved in FFA. Her favorite teacher was her Ag. Teacher, Mr. Schell, and he inspired and encouraged her to follow in his footsteps. 

Jolene graduated from Utah State in 1998 with a degree in Agricultural Education with a Biology Endorsement.  She received a Master's Degree in Adult and Extension Education from USU in 2006. She taught Agriculture classes at Wasatch High School from 1998-2003. 

Jolene left teaching for a year when she started her family. She went back as a middle school teacher and teaching was much easier on my family life, but I was a little bored. She ended up teaching reading for a year at Wendover High School where she met many amazing individuals and had a very rewarding experience. 

She returned to Ag. Teaching at Timpanogos High School in 2012. She taught there for one year, and then the job at South Summit came open. She was hired at SSHS and it has been her home for the past 11 years. She has great support from her admins and CTE director, as well as amazing students who have taken her on many trips to compete in Rangeland Science, Forestry, Envirothon and many others

SESC Teacher of the Year Award:

Todd Smallcanyon, Navajo Mountain High School,  San Juan School District 

Todd Smallcanyon has been a valuable Navajo Mountain High School team member for over twenty years. He is the longest-tenured teacher at the school. Navajo Mountain serves students living in the Navajo Nation and is located in a beautiful remote area about three hours from the district office. Todd is a secondary Math teacher but with a small school size, he is always willing to accept a range of additional teaching assignments. He has taught Health, Computer Programming, Financial Literacy, and P.E. He jumps right in to learn content and gain additional endorsements. On top of teaching, he has coached many teams and supervised various clubs. Todd has served as the Athletic Director and is currently the Tech Coach for NMHS.

Before his time as a teacher, Todd served in the United States Army and continues to support civic responsibility and respect. He spends his summers at training conferences and improving his craft. Todd is more than a teacher.  He is a mentor and a friend. He takes the time to get to know his students and their families. Todd speaks the Navajo language in the classroom which helps students feel supported and connected to their culture and community. He is a pillar in the community and involved in the workings of the local tribal chapter. Todd exemplifies every aspect of excellence at Navajo Mountain High School. His dedication, devotion, and work in our district have earned him the respect of his colleagues. He is well deserving of this award. Thank you for your dedication to education and the community.

 

SEDC Administrator of the Year Award:

Jody Heaps- Minersville Elementary School- Beaver County School District

Jody has been a teacher and/or principal for 42 years.  She taught high school English/Speech/Debate at Bryce Valley HS, Cedar HS, Hillcrest HS, American Fork High School, Milford HS, and Minersville Elementary.  She taught 15 years at a magnet technical high school in West Virginia where she created and taught a new Applied Language Arts program for West Virginia.  She served as a Speech/Debate representative for the UHSAA for six years.  She was selected as Utah’s Sterling Scholar’s Most Influential Teacher in 1989.   She has just retired from Beaver County School District after 17 years.  She is the mother of four and grandmother to nine.

 

Recognitions

Friends of Education: Brittney Cummins

Brittney Cummins is an educator and education advocate with a passion for improving the student experience in Utah schools. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in biology teaching, she has engaged with education opportunities in many ways including serving on the Utah State Board of Education, chairing a charter school governing board, teaching high school, and working as the Governor’s education advisor.  Cummins enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.

Dedicated Service Award

Selene Corbridge

 Selene Corbridge is the Office Manager for Southwest Educational Development Center in Cedar City, UT. She is responsible for the daily operation and activities of the center. These responsibilities include; tracking of revenue, accounts payable and receivable, requisitions for purchase orders, preparing payroll, preparing invoices for assessments, and monitoring employee contracts. Selene prepares correspondence for SEDC’s Executive Board and keeps minutes for their monthly board meetings.

In addition, Selene is the Administrator for the Southwest Sterling Scholar program. This includes managing budgets, planning board meetings, scheduling and working to have everything run smoothly.

Lastly, Selene is a welcoming presence in the office. She answers phones, greets visitors and maintains a professional atmosphere for those who visit and work at SEDC.