Ten outstanding Granite School District educators have been selected as recipients of the distinguished 2014 Excel Award, the district’s most prestigious honor for educators.

The award, sponsored by Granite Education Foundation, recognizes educators who incite intellectual curiosity in students, engage them thoroughly in the enterprise of learning, and exhibit a lifelong impact.

2014 Excel Winners

Ruth Adolphsen, Science Teacher at Cyprus High
Robin Farnsworth, Third Grade Teacher at Neil Armstrong Academy
Le Vuong, Math Teacher at Bennion Junior High
Mark Grant, Principal of Evergreen Junior High
Keri Graybill, AVID Teacher at Granite Park Junior High
Sharon Hall, Teacher at Y.E.S.S. classroom at the Christmas Box House
Rachel Jensen, Second Grade Teacher at Calvin Smith Elementary
Heidi Parkin, Third Grade Teacher at Spring Lane Elementary
Amber Tuckness, Music Teacher at Cottonwood High
Sarah Waddoups, Second Grade Teacher at Oakwood Elementary

“Every year, the announcement of the new distinguished Excel educators serves to remind us all that excellent educators are finding engaging solutions to institutional problems and changing the world, one child at a time,” said Granite Education Foundation CEO Brent Severe. “Those being honored are true classroom heroes.”

The ten individuals, selected by an assembled board of judges, will each receive $1,000 in addition to gifts and prizes from community business partners and advocates of public education.

The Excel Awards Ceremony will be Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in the Granger High School auditorium. The ceremony is free and open to the public.