SALT LAKE CITY — Jon and Karen Huntsman have announced the 2011 recipients of the Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education. The 10 teachers, administrators and volunteers will be recognized at a banquet Friday for their commitment to children of all ages in the state. The winners will each receive $10,000.
This marks the 19th year the Huntsmans have conducted the awards, which recognize remarkable administrators and teachers from all different subjects and grade levels. Nominations for the awards are made by students or fellow colleagues, then vetted by an awards committee that makes the final selections.
Burke Staheli
Principal
Washington Elementary School, Washington
Burke Staheli is famous for his goal-oriented challenges that motivate his students to read. The principal at Washington Elementary has spent one night sleeping on the roof of his school every year for six years thanks to his students fulfilling a challenge to read 1 million minutes each year. Staheli has also shaved his head and skydived onto the school's field in order to make good on his promises.
Motivating kids to go to college is one of his greatest pursuits, which is why he created a school pledge that includes the lines, "I will work hard and be nice," and "Be prepared to go to college — no excuses!" He started a yearly fund for two $500 college scholarships for Washington Elementary graduates.
Staheli instills the concept of giving back by engaging his students in community service by setting a good example. Staheli, his students and other marathon participants raised $18,000 to go toward purchasing a prosthetic limb for a child who had an amputation.
David Beck
Orchestra teacher
Pleasant Grove Junior High School and High School
David Beck has transformed the orchestra program during his 14 years as the orchestra teacher at Pleasant Grove. The first time the orchestra ever qualified for state competition was Beck's first year at the school. Since that first year in 1997, the school has consistently earned superior ratings in state competition and remains one of the top five junior high school orchestras in Utah.
The seventh-grade beginners class averaged fewer than 20 students prior to Beck's first year. Today, incoming class size ranges from 50 to 70.
Beyond his reach at Pleasant Grove, Beck as chaired the Utah All-State Orchestra program and has served as vice president for the Utah Music Educators Association. He also teaches violin privately and is known in the community for bestowing his love of music on to his students.
James Hodges
Social studies teacher
Brighton high School
Former students of James Hodges are quick to credit their social studies teacher for influencing their lives for the better. The Brighton High social studies teacher is dedicated to opening the eyes of his students to complex world issues and cultures by encouraging them to go beyond the familiar.
Hodges is an active participant in the International Model of United Nations Association, an organization dedicated to educating young people about global issues through simulation. He has served on the board of directors of the association and has consistently led Model U.N. teams that win state and regional honors. The most celebrated achievement has been two national titles achieved in 2003 and 2008.
Students learn critical thinking, debate, negotiation and public speaking skills from Hodges that they say benefit them immensely after graduation.
Jane Capizzo
Volunteer
Ferron Elementary School
It's not unusual for professionals to commute dozens of miles for work, but Jane Capizzo travels 30 miles every school day just to volunteer.
Capizzo volunteers at Ferron Elementary School in Ferron, Emery County, where she works in the first-grade classrooms, helping the students with reading, among other subjects. For four hours a day, she dedicates her time to the small community school.
Teachers note that Capizzo, whom many know fondly as "Grandma Jane," reads and reviews hundreds of children's books on her own time and gives them tips on which books specific children might enjoy.
In addition to her help in classrooms over the past seven years, she's also a familiar face on the playground, where she mans her post with a kind, watchful eye.
Joanne Spencer
Fourth-grade teacher
Bluff Ridge Elementary School, Syracuse
One characteristic students in Joanne Spencer's fourth-grade class learn quickly is respect. Respect for each other, respect for their teacher and the respect she has for them. This framework limits discipline infractions and fosters good behavior, which she is known for encouraging with gentle words of praise.
Spencer, an educator for 33 years, believes every child can be reached and taught and proves her conviction by capturing the focus of children with Down syndrome, ADD and ADHD.
Spencer's lesson plans are anything by ordinary, and students love to come to class to find out if the assignment will include making Chinese dragons, learning to dance the Virginia reel, constructing a volcano that erupts or building a spook house.
Mark Grant
Principal
Evergreen Junior High
Mark Grant's school was once on the verge of being closed due to failing enrollment. Through his leadership and a commitment academics, school enrollment is at an all-time high and students who had previously left the school are returning.
In his time as principal, math and English scores have increased, and the school's honor roll list has gone from only 29 percent of the school's population to 42 percent.
Grant is known at the school for his open-door policy, which allows input from parents, faculty and students. Teachers appreciate him for his trust in them. Rather than micromanaging, he provides every means of support available to fulfill their teaching visions.
Linda Lewis
Physical education/drama teacher
Mapleton Junior High School
In the nearly 40 years she's been in the profession, Linda Lewis has worn many hats — usually at the same time. Lewis is currently the P.E. teacher, intramural coordinator, Shakespearean director, drama coach and special education collaborator at Mapleton Junior High, where she's known for making things happen.
Lewis started an after-school Shakespeare theater 21 years ago as an after-school enrichment program. It's now a community tradition with as many as 14 performances every March. Lewis adapts the performances to include and empower children with special needs. Students are assigned acting roles, take tickets and serve as student directors.
She's known in the community for creativity and inclusion, and she has organized successful fundraisers for the American Heart and American Lung Association.
Ray Long
Principal
Fremont High School
After 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, Ray Long began his career in education. Long is known for his leadership style that is centered on respect and the integrity and professionalism that he inspires in others.
Long was born in the Southeast, where his childhood was characterized by institutional discrimination. Colleagues who nominated Long for the award say he harbored no resentment and chose to use his experience to create positive change, compassion, fairness and quality.
Long was previously the principal of Wahlquist Junior High and assistant principal at Fremont High. Prior to his administrative roles, he coached sports in several schools and taught history at all levels, included Advanced Placement courses
Nyle Russell
Agriculture education and welding teacher
Payson High School
For 20 years Nyle Russell has gone beyond typical classroom instruction to show his high school students how to care for livestock hands-on.
Russell wrote software for an electronic record book program specifically for his students. The old paper system was arduous and dampened students' enthusiasm for applying for Future Farmers of America degrees and proficiency awards. The record book program is used at FFA programs across the country. What's more, an FFA booster club organized by Russell raises about $50,000 annually.
Russell also manages an animal lab that houses livestock projects for kids who have no place to feed and care for animals. As many as 150 animals can be found at any time in the facility. In the summers, Russell spends his free time supporting his students as they exhibit their work in state junior livestock shows, judging competitions and agriculture events.
Sally Ogilvie
First-grade teacher
Syracuse Elementary School
While she's adept at teaching kids about all subjects, Sally Ogilvie clearly favors science. The first-grade teacher invites her students to sift through piles of dirt in order to discover microscopic bugs. Ogilvie is responsible for securing funding for and establishing two elementary school gardens, which has inspired children and families to create gardens of their own at home.
Ogilvie identifies the strengths in students and make sure they know of their potential. She communicates expectations without injuring their self confidence.
Faculty and students alike know her to be a reliable adviser, a great listener and problem solver.
e-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com