As we begin the 2025–26 school year, I want to express my gratitude to each of you for the remarkable work you do every day in classrooms across Granite School District. We know that no one implements someone else’s vision well.  As Richard DuFour reminds us, “The best organizations do not rely on the decisions of a few at the top; they cultivate the capacity of people throughout the organization to contribute to the improvement of the whole.” In that spirit, our commitment is to build your capacity, support your professional growth, and stand beside you as you guide students toward stronger academic outcomes. Your expertise, creativity, and daily efforts are what drive success for our students, and we are honored to partner with you in this important work.

Principals play a vital role in every school’s success. They shape the culture, remove barriers, and provide the support that helps both teachers and students thrive. While their efforts are often unseen, their impact is everywhere. We should take every chance to recognize and thank principals for the many ways they strengthen schools and uplift the work of others.

This week let’s recognize Alison Milne. Here’s what one of her teachers had to say about her:

“Alison is outstanding for a few reasons. Reason 1: Advocacy. She is a tremendous advocate for our students with special needs. This year, we were rolling out a new program that would allow our ARCHES students to integrate with mainstream classes during specials times. After some initial confusion, she took the time to contact our district curriculum director for clarification to get everything straightened out. Reason 2: Personal touch. There was a an occasion that she made an arrangement for one of our ARCHES students to meet her tortoise after the student supported another student. She personally came to the classroom to pick him up. This moment was a particular moment of growth for the student, receiving a special accolade in front of his peers. Alison is all about doing what’s right for the students, while being mindful of staff. I’m proud to be on her team.”

Thank you Alison for all you do for the community at Frost!