Hartvigsen School secondary teacher Barbara Hegland was announced as one of 11 educators statewide to receive the 2017 Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education.

Barbara is this year’s special education winner, a distinction that is given to only one Utah teacher every year.

The announcement came on a Thursday morning during a dance activity in the school’s gym. Like most Hartvigsen staff members, Barbara thought it would be a routine portion of her day, until Karen Huntsman stepped on the stage and announced her name.

“I am shocked,” she said with tears in her eyes while addressing a crowd of family members, colleagues and students.

Babara is a 30-year special education veteran. Although there are challenges associated with the profession, she’s quick to point out her students’ smiles and kind hearts make it all worth while.