MT. PLEASANT—The North Sanpete School District (NSSD) named teachers in each school as Teachers of the Year, and one—Carmen Torres Garcilazo, a teacher at Moroni Elementary—was also named District Teacher of the Year.
School principals from each school made the presentation at the board meeting Tuesday, April 19 at the district office. An additional surprise was a gift of $100 cash to each of those honored from Security National Mortgage in Ephraim.
Carmen Torres Garcilazo is a dual immersion teacher at Moroni Elementary who is finishing her sixth year of teaching. Carmen has taught Spanish dual immersion in third grade for four years and in first grade for two years. She is currently the third grade Spanish dual immersion teacher, and she teaches math, science, and Spanish language arts. She also has been the NSSD Migrant Recruiter for the past three years.
Her principal, Stacey Peterson, said, “She is dynamic in the classroom, and she is willing to go above and beyond to provide her students great instruction and to deepen their understanding.”
Colette Hansen, who teaches kindergarten at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, has been teaching for 25 years and was nominated by principal Rena Orton.
Orton said of her, “Colette loves her students. She works with each student one-on-one. She always has fun activities planned and the students are always engaged. She sings fun songs with actions, and they learn to read fun poems that change every week. The children sound out words and practice the alphabet with sign language every day.”
Kaylene Johnson, a member of the Language Arts department at North Sanpete High School, was nominated by principal Christy Straatman. “In her 13 years with us, her positive approach in supporting and engaging students in their learning has contributed to the success of many, many students over the past 13 years,” she said.
“Kaylene’s teaching style reflects the attributes of what is considered to be a ‘warm demander: a teacher that expects great things from their students and convinces them of their own brilliance.”
Linda King, an English language arts and reading teacher at North Sanpete Middle School, was nominated by principal Jeff Ericksen.
“She is an amazing teacher and human being. She is passionate about her teaching, and her students know that she genuinely cares for them and their success, not only in middle school but in life.”
Darcie Stansfield, of Fountain Green Elementary, is completing her fourth year of teaching. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. She has been an active participant in several school and district functions such as PTA and the Computer Science Committee.”
Selicia Mackay, who has taught special education at Spring City Elementary for two years, was nominated by principal John Thomas.
Thomas says, “In her role as a special education teacher, she always works hard to meet the needs of each individual student.”
Mike Wright at the Fairview Elementary School has taught 15 years at Fairview, and three years before that in the Nebo School District. He teaches fifth grade math and science.
“Mr. Wright may have a quiet, mild demeanor, but when he is teaching math and science with kids, he is amazing and dynamic. He strives to have engaging, hands-on lessons to guide students as they discover the wonders of science and math. You can tell he truly loves teaching and his students,” said Principal Allynne Mower.
Clint Straatman, who has taught physical education for two years at Pleasant Creek School and 21 years overall, was nominated by principal Stephen Solen.
Solen said of Clint, “He provides students with opportunities in P.E. that are not available in other typical school settings. He has introduced new games, lifelong activities, and a desire to live a healthy lifestyle.
“The P.E. program at Pleasant Creek School improves every year with additional equipment purchases and tournaments between the rehabilitation homes and local students.”
