When Ryan Wells' father suggested they go for a bicycle ride up the canyon on such a delightfully sunny day, he readily agreed. All was well until the police sirens sounded behind him. Confused, Ryan slowed his bike and stopped on the shoulder of the road. Than out of the back of the squad car ...
excel
Cottonwood High Teacher Named Utah Teacher of the Year
Our very own Lauren Merkley has been named the 2020 Utah Teacher of the Year by state superintendent Syd Dickson. Merkley, an English teacher at Cottonwood High School, was announced as the state winner during the Teacher of the Year banquet honoring the top teachers from school districts and ...
Cottonwood High English Teacher Named Granite Teacher of the Year
Introducing the 2019 Granite School District Teacher of the Year: Lauren Merkley of Cottonwood High School! Lauren actually started her career in fundraising but soon realized what she was most passionate about was teaching. She left a successful job in New York and has been inspiring students ...
2019 Excel Award Recipients Announced
This year Granite Education Foundation celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Excel Award - an annual recognition of nine outstanding teachers and one outstanding administrator in Granite School District. It's tradition for the winners to be surprised in their classrooms by Superintendent Bates, ...
Granite Teacher of the Year is a remarkable educator, lizard handler
Hillside Elementary 3rd grade teacher Archer Birrell brings his bearded dragon Link along with him to faculty meetings and school activities. His love for the class pet is one of the many quirks his colleagues and students admire. But it's his genuine dedication to the profession that sets him ...
Congratulations to the 2018 Excel Award recipients
Every year, Granite Education Foundation honors ten outstanding educators in Granite School District with the Excel Award. The recipients are nominated by colleagues, school administrators, or students. As with previous years, the 2018 Excel Award winners represent a diverse array of grade ...
Ten educators announced as Excel Award winners
The Excel Award selection committee hopped on a bus and traveled around the district to surprise educators with Granite's prestigious award. Shock, awe and gratitude flashed across the faces of the recipients, but their recognition comes as no surprise to their students and colleagues. Here are ...
Dr. Bates, GEF surprise 2016 Excel Award winners in their classrooms
Todd Summerhays was somewhat bewildered to have the principal and the superintendent stroll into his classroom unannounced. His perplexity increased when he saw his family walk through the doorway. "That's my daughter! And that's my mom! I have no idea what's going on," he said to his equally ...
2015 Excel Educators honored at GEF Gala
Ten outstanding educators received plaudits from colleagues, students and Granite community members last week during Granite Education Foundation’s Excel Gala. This year’s Excel Award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, skills, talents, and abilities across the District. Please join us ...
Granite Park AVID teacher named GSD Teacher of the Year
Keri Graybill began to question the real reason why the school had been called down to an assembly when the TV cameras began filming in her direction. Then, when principal Danny Stirland handed the microphone to Superintendent Bates, a realization began to settle in Keri’s mind; a particularly ...