Every GSD employee contributes to the education and development of students across the Salt Lake Valley.
Those who have been here the longest understand the immense transformations that have occurred in the public education landscape during the past few decades. Yet they remain dedicated to carrying out their obligations with the skill and experience necessary to move forward in the 21 century world.
As a celebration of their service, GSD employees who have reached a 25 year anniversary in their tenure with the district were treated to a special dinner with members of the Board of Education and district administrators. Below is a list of this year’s gold pin recipients.
Michael Anderson – English Teacher, Granite Connection High
Shelly Anglin – First Grade Teacher, Hillside Elementary
Shari Austin – School Social Worker
Ronald Bailey – CTE Coordinator, Olympus High
Jack Barber – Journeyman Painter
Ronald Barnett – Science Teacher, Kearns High
W. Evan Bateman – Music Teacher, Olympus High
Merilynn Boekweg – Executive Secretary, Business Services
Christine Brent – Third Grade Teacher, Hillsdale Elementary
Bobbie Bringhurst – Bus Driver
Kenneth Broadhead – Bus Driver
Rebecca Brough – History Teacher, Olympus High
Gale Brown – Special Education, Eisenhower Jr. High
Nancy Bruns – Fourth Grade Teacher, Valley Crest Elementary
Kimberly Carter – Administrative Secretary, Food Services
Kathie Carter – Gifts Program Secretary, Jones Center
Coltilda Casaus – Custodian, Valley Jr. High
Linda Casteel – Speech Pathologist
Ismael Castillo – Custodian, Eisenhower Jr. High
Richard Clawson – Math Teacher, Granger High
Larry Cordova – Maintenance Craftsman, Food Services
Byron Cromer – Office Equipment Technician, Information Systems
Vickie Daraban – Science Teacher, Matheson Jr. High
Karen Drummond – Special Education, Kearns High
Sharri Dutson – FLSC Aide, Bacchus Elementary
Claudia Edvalson – Office Secretary, Hunter High
Julie Ericksen – Young Parent Program
Rosalie Eyre – Music Teacher, Matheson Jr. High
Ann Fedderson – Fourth Grade Teacher, Whittier Elementary
Carol Ferguson – Third Grade Teacher, Granger Elementary
Susie Gaily – Special Education, Whittier Elementary
Nicia Gale – Counselor, Brockbank Jr. High
Miguel Garcia – Math Specialist, Curriculum & Instruction
Cindy George – Fourth Grade Teacher, Diamond Ridge Elementary
Robyn Gresh – Sixth Grade Teacher, Hillside Elementary
Jill Hale – System Support Coach, Research & Evaulation
Stephanie Hamilton – Library/Media Specialist, Bennion Jr. High
Michael Hampton – Special Education, Granger Elementary
John Hancock – History Teacher, Kearns Jr. High
Dona Jo Harris – Principal, Robert Frost Elementary
M. Kevin Harward – English Teacher, Taylorsville High
Collette Hayes – Sixth Grade Teacher, Mill Creek Elementary
Monica Hilding – ESL Adult Education Teacher, Granite Peaks
Jennifer Hinchman – Second Grade Teacher, William Penn Elementary
Anthony Ivins – Science Teacher, Taylorsville High
Wendy Jones – Fourth Grade Teacher, Eastwood Elementary
Monica Kelley – Resource Teacher, Plymouth Elementary
Bernie Kelvington – Foreman
Keith Lawson – Counselor, Brockbank Jr. High
Sherri Linnell – Instructional Aide, Hartvigsen School
Teri Lloyd – Bus Driver
Mark Manning – Principal, Olympus High
Paul McClatchy – School Psychologist
Karen Munson – Home Economics Teacher, Hunter High
Iris Nelson – Reading Specialist, Woodrow Wilson Elementary
K. R. Ostberg – Art Teacher, Kearns High
Melanie Owens – English Teacher, Jefferson Jr. High
S. Clay Pearce – Associate Director, Prevention & Student Placement
Agnes Peirce – Third Grade Teacher, Woodrow Wilson Elementary
Kim Peterson – Reading Teacher, Redwood Elementary
Jerry Purles – Resource Teacher
Carl Readicker – Aviation Teacher, Granite Technical Institute
Valerie Reynolds – Art Teacher, Kearns Jr. High
Ann Ricks – Home Economics Teacher, Bennion Jr. High
Terry Robinson – School Technology Specialist, Fox Hills Elementary
Valorie Robison – First Grade Teacher, Bacchus Elementary
Jorge Rodriquez – Head Custodian, Matheson Jr. High
Tamara Searle – Art Teacher, Churchill Jr. High
Pyper Shelton – First Grade Teacher, William Penn Elementary
Cathy Shurtz – Principal Secretary, Calvin Smith Elementary
Connie Sorensen – First Grade Teacher, Oakridge Elementary
Ann Sorenson – Home Economics Teacher, Brockbank Jr. High
Kenneth Spilker – Grounds Worker
Mary Ann Stevens – Principal, Kennedy Jr. High
Lisa Stolk – Y.E.S.S. Program Teacher
Sheri Talakai – Reading Specialist, Valley Crest Elementary
Robert Tidwell – History Teacher, Valley Jr. High
Robert Timothy – Fifth Grade Teacher, Orchard Elementary
Wendy Wagstaff – Sixth Grade Teacher, Cottonwood Elementary
Val Westover – Head Custodian, Evergreen Jr. High
Patricia White – Sixth Grade Teacher, Morningside Elementary
Stephanie Wynder – Business Teacher, Cottonwood High
Tana says
In your article about Granite School District Employees Celebrate 25 Year Milestone’ the first sentence states that “EVERY GSD EMPLOYEE contributes to education and development of students”. Not all GSD EMPLOYEES are honored. Is there a reason why hourly employees are not honored?
Granite Schools says
Tana,
We are looking into this matter with the respective departments who oversee the event and will have an answer to you in the near future. Thank you.
Granite Schools says
The nature of hourly work makes it particularly difficult to track information on a regular basis. Many hourly employees have a tenure that includes quitting and rehiring on multiple occasions. This leads to a considerable amount of staff time and resources to hand count years of service on an annual basis. In addition, the event is intended to recognize career contract employees, whereas hourly positions were never intended to be career positions.
Tana says
Ok I understand. You are basically telling me my 25 plus years is not considered a career because I was not on contract. That’s good to know that my years of service does not count with the district. Thank you.
Granite Schools says
We are not indicating that, and we regret that perception. This issue creeps up every year. I would encourage you to discuss your concern with HR to understand the dynamics and complexity of this issue and in making formal determinations regarding what would meet some agreed criteria of what is a “career” hourly employee or not. Invariably, some individuals will be left out who may deserve recognition and vice-versa. It is not as simple as you have outlined it. Once again, I understand your concern and regret this perception. We are looking at other ways to recognize employees who length of service to the district should be acknowledged.