February 19 – RISE Nominations

Brett Christensen, Dan Peterson School; occupational therapist

Brett is a selfless leader. He is always looking out for the students making sure they are getting the best therapy for the students. He is always looking out for his employees making sure they are comfortable and taken care of. He makes the work environment a pleasant place to want to work and enjoy coming to work.

Nominated by: Seth Russon, district employee

Camille Pickett, Skyridge High; teacher

Mrs. Pickett goes above and beyond for her students. She makes an effort to know each of her students individually and does everything she can do to help them. I always feel valued when I work with her. Mrs. Pickett creates a safe environment that nourishes relationships and truly enriches learning. She is the epitome of education. She is empathetic, kind, humble, dedicated, aware, reliable, and respectful. Because of her, I understand and enjoy learning topics that I typically struggle with. Mrs. Pickett deserves this award for the impact she has made on everyone who meets her.

Nominated by: Lily Withers, student

“Mrs. Pickett is a really good teacher. I always enjoy being in her class and learning from her because she makes her lessons engaging and very interesting.”

Nominated by: Dillon Giraldi, student

Taylor Tuckett, Mountain Ridge Junior; teacher

Mr. Tuckett has made such a difference in my daughter’s junior high experience. She has been so nervous to go to junior high and his class has been her safe place. She feels happy in his class and has learned so much. Thank you Mr. Tuckett!

Nominated by: Brynn Losee, parent

Allison Alpizar, Viewpoint Middle; teacher

Allison is an amazing teacher. She connects with her students and teaches with a maturity beyond her years in the classroom. She is always working to find better ways to help her students, and it is obvious how much she cares about her students every single day!! Allison is the kind of teacher that makes school a place kids want to be.

Nominated by: Crystal Nielson, district employee

Tawni Packer, Timberline Middle; teacher

Mrs. Packer is a great teacher who pushes us to do great things and makes us better as people. She is willing to help those who ask for help, and she teaches the material in an effective and concise manner. Mrs. Packer was one of the best teachers I had last year.

Nominated by: Cameron Webecke, student

Tawni Packer is such a kind and dedicated teacher. Her unwavering commitment to her students shines as she goes above and beyond, tailoring support to meet individual needs. Mrs. Packer’s efforts honestly exemplify her belief in every child’s potential. Her classroom is a nurturing environment where students feel valued and empowered. Her compassion and personalized approach have transformed students as a teacher, mentor, and inspiration to her students.”

Nominated by: Elizabeth Evans, parent and district employee

Natalie Everitt, Manila Elementary; preschool teacher

Ms. Everitt goes above and beyond not just only with my son, but with her class. I see the care and love that she shows to her students and how she tries to make a change in every one them.

Nominated by: Iris Cohen, parent

Miss Natalie has brought warmth, motivation and goodness to her classroom! My son has loved being in Miss Natalie’s class where she fosters growth and participation. She communicates regularly with parents and has created a culture in her class that inspires future generations! I am impressed with her goals for her class, her smile, her gentleness and incredible classroom management.

Nominated by: Jenine Abegg, parent

Ms. Natalie is the best! My daughter had a hard time coming into class and she was so kind and thoughtful to help her feel comfortable. Not only to my child, but to every child in preschool. She is detail oriented and knows every child by name and something special about them. Her classroom is full of adventure and learning which makes the kids engage even more! She goes above and beyond and makes sure these kids feel loved, respected, and of worth. She’s building a strong, independent generation, which we all need. It has been such a wonderful year for my daughter!”

Nominated by: Shannan Bowman, parent

Miss Natalie truly cares about her students. Her way for teaching is so amazing. My daughter has learned so much!”

Nominated by: Breanna Fish, parent

Miss Natalie is such an amazing preschool teacher! My kids just love her. She is so great and has helped my kids so much!”

Nominated by: Katie Burton, parent

Natalie is a fantastic preschool teacher. She cares about each student, makes her classroom an inviting place, goes above and beyond each day, and my preschooler goes to school and comes back each day so happy. We love Miss Natalie!”

Nominated by: Nicole Finlayson, parent

I have loved having my daughter in Miss Natalie’s preschool class. I feel as though she’s learning so much more than just the typical preschool skills of numbers and letters. My four year old is already recognizing the difference between good choices and bad choices. She’s also asking questions, trying new foods, and engaging with the world in a more advanced way. I appreciate the newsletters so I know what she’s learning and can be involved too. She’s getting a great foundation set for success not only in school, but also in life.”

Nominated by: Melissa Ritchie, parent

I have loved having my daughter in Miss Natalie’s preschool class. I feel as though she’s learning so much more than just the typical preschool skills of numbers and letters. My four year old is already recognizing the difference between good choices and bad choices. She’s also asking questions, trying new foods, and engaging with the world in a more advanced way. I appreciate the newsletters so I know what she’s learning and can be involved too. She’s getting a great foundation set for success not only in school, but also in life.”

Nominated by: Melissa Ritchie, parent

Kristen Olsen, Rocky Mountain Elementary; teacher

Ms. Olsen has been a life changing teacher for our daughter. Our daughter is in Life Skills and Ms. Olsen has created such a positive and loving space that also has high expectations. She assumes competence and works hard to create a community of inclusion throughout the school. She is a rockstar teacher and we are always so grateful for the immense work she does for not only our daughter, but every student she comes into contact with.

Nominated by: Jessica Gurney, parent

Katie Benson, Westmore Elementary; teacher

Katie is our phenomenal art specialties teacher! As a parent, I love seeing my student excited to tell me about the latest creations she made in art class: weaving, painting, pastels, glow-in-the-dark… they do it all! As a substitute teacher at Westmore, I love it when I have an excuse to go with the students to Katie’s class- it’s the best time of the day. I’m astonished by the endless number of ideas and techniques she comes up with to teach the students and how she adapts for each age group. Katie makes art fun!”

Nominated by: Sharlee Largey, parent

Travis Rawlings, Legacy Elementary; teacher

Mr. Rawlings is kind, caring, and makes the students feel great about themselves. He works hard and his students adore him. I’ve heard several parents comment how he has become their child’s favorite teacher. He makes every day learning fun and has such a great attitude! He looks for the good in everyone and everything.”

Nominated by: Jessica Anderson, parent

Cassandra Brosvik, Skyridge High; teacher

Mrs. Brosvik always pushes everyone and confronts their mistakes to everyone in the class, and doesn’t stop them until they play right. She leads by example and makes sure all the students perform to the best of their ability, saying she hates the word “I suck” because she knows everyone has the talent to be in her class.

Nominated by: Penelope Hoppe, student

Amy Grant, Mountain Ridge Junior; teacher

Amy deserves recognition for her dedication to Mountain Ridge’s students. As a math and ELD teacher, she goes above and beyond to ensure each student succeeds academically while feeling supported and valued. Her commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for English learners empowers students to build confidence and essential skills in a positive, inclusive space. Through her engaging teaching approach, Amy inspires her students to overcome challenges and believe in their potential, making a lasting impact on their academic journey. Amy is an incredible teacher and an all-around amazing person. She has a special gift for working with tough cases, building firm but fair relationships that inspire students to do their best. Her dedication to our multilingual learners is unmatched—she works tirelessly to help them feel welcome and part of the Mountain Ridge community. Whether teaching math or ELD, Amy’s passion, patience, and commitment shine through. She is a true asset to our school, and we are so grateful for the positive impact she has on both students and colleagues every day!

Nominated by: Emma Cragun, district employee

Ann Zito, Westfield Elementary; teacher

Ann Zito continues to educate herself such as attending a learning seminar regarding bringing nature into the classroom. She does not remain stagnant in her approach to teaching and continually integrates new ideas into the classroom. The children are given the option to sit on a yoga ball during class which greatly helps my daughter specifically, who is very wiggly and needs to move. She doesn’t waste time, ie: some students understood the material so she gave them a real life problem (create a resort) to put their math skills to the test in the real world.”

Nominated by: Ashley White, parent

Sue Barney, Westlake High; counselor

My counselor Mrs. Barney has helped me so much!

Nominated by: Luke Barney, student

Mrs. Barney is deserving of the RISE Award because she is always willing to help when needed. She has helped me through many things in school and has led me on the right path.”

Nominated by: Isabelle Langford, student

Kimberlee Rodeback, Westlake High; teacher

I had Mrs. Rodeback in 9th grade at Vista Heights first, and she made my experience in her English class amazing, I really enjoyed the way she taught, it was easy to understand and it was clear that she cared about her students. She’s so much fun to be around and I feel like I can relate to her more than teachers I’ve had in the past.

Nominated by: Afton Lloyd, student

I had Mrs. Rodeback in 9th and 11th grade. Each year was so good. She was always so inviting and understanding, she felt more like a friend than a teacher. She also does a great job at teaching her subject. I have learned so much from her class both years. She always connects with the students and makes her classes much more enjoyable. She’s an amazing teacher.

Nominated by: Cache Connelly, student

Sally Horrocks, Westlake High; teacher

Mrs. Horrocks was the best math teacher I ever had in my years of schooling, she always put in extra effort to make it easy for me to learn, and ask questions when I needed it, and she was the best teacher as in teaching that I’ve had. Whenever I was confused, I was able to ask, and she always explained it well, and I did well in her class.

Nominated by: Jarin Canar, student

Mrs. Horrocks is a wonderful math teacher. She works hard to ensure that all students in her classroom are learning. Her teaching style has really helped my daughter. My daughter now feels that she is good at math, and math homework is no longer a battle. My oldest daughter had her as well and also found great benefit from her teaching style. As a coworker, I have seen her collaborate with others within her department. She really tries to get to know each student and support them in the best way possible. Westlake is lucky to have her.

Nominated by: Christine Holt, district employee

Matt Van Orden, ATEC West; teacher

Matt is an incredibly knowledgeable teacher who supports post-high school students. He is passionate about helping his students, and is always flexible and willing to support them in any way they need. Each student he works with receives an incredible amount of compassion, empathy, and encouragement from Matt. He is able to build strong connections with his students; it is amazing to see how deeply he believes in his students and encourages them to grow.

Nominated by: Jen Christensen, district employee

Desiree Sedgewick, Westlake High; teacher

Mrs. Sedgwick is the light of this school. Her classroom is such a positive and happy environment while being a safe space at the same time. She devotes her time to being with students and she personally cares about us.

Nominated by: Haylie Merrill, student

Mrs. Sedgwick is a really good teacher. The environment of her class is good and casual. She teaches us what we need to learn. I always look forward to going to her class, even when I don’t like the subject.”

Nominated by: Savannah Thornton, student

Despite getting diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this school year, Mrs. Sedwick has shown her love for her students by putting in the extra time to improve their learning experience. She had to leave school to recover from her surgery, yet she would always help guide me through my questions. Sedwick is proof that there is hope in hard times.”

Nominated by: Peter Kolowich, student

Mrs. Sedgwick is one of the best teachers at Westlake High School. She is one of the best teachers, she is one of the most understanding, has one of the best personalities, is a great teacher, selfless, and encourages her students greatly.”

Nominated by: Julie Navarro Lopez, student

Casey Rosenhan, Westlake High; teacher

“Miss Rosenhan (Miss Rosey) is an amazing teacher and I am so grateful for her influence on my life! Miss Rosey has always made me feel welcome in her class and I have learned so much from her. No matter the day or circumstances, she always brings the spirit up in the classroom and creates an environment for her students to learn and grow!”

Nominated by: Nathanial Rognon, student

Ms. Rosenhan is so amazing and has walked me through everything I have needed from her. She has been there for me when I needed her. She has helped me with my career.

Nominated by: Tuscanee Seal, student

Mrs. Rosenhan is remarkable as she is very knowledgeable about what she teaches. Her classes are very engaging. She is inspiring as she brings energy to every class; she inspires me to bring the same energy. Mrs. Rosenhan is selfless as she takes time to make sure every student learns and has the chance to pass her class. She finds ways to help each student even if that means sacrificing her own time. She is encouraging as she respects each student, expects each student to succeed, and verbally supports each student. Mrs. Rosenhan is an amazing teacher and a light at Westlake High School.

Nominated by: Halle Cowan, student

Bethany Done, Desert Sky Elementary; teacher

“Mrs. Done changed the way I viewed school. I never took school seriously and I hated it until I got into her class! She helped me learn how to do my school work on time and have a good work ethic. Ever since her class I’ve never not turned in a single homework all of my middle school and high school years. She made me feel so loved and made me love learning!

Nominated by: Elliette Thompson, student

Nicki Beus, Westlake High; teacher

“Ms. Bues is one of the best teachers I know. Not only does she do a great job of teaching she also gives all her time and attention to her students and building healthy relationships with them. She is there to encourage you and help you learn in the way that works for you the best. She is willing to sit down with you for hours after school to make sure you understand the concepts. She also spends time on her lessons and works hard to make sure they will benefit her students. I greatly appreciate the time she has taken to help me excel and grow as a student and a person.

Nominated by: Sydney Stout, student

Miss Beus has gone above and beyond in her teacher role. She would often dedicate many hours after, during, and before school to helping me fully understand the material. She makes her classroom welcome to everyone and keeps an eye out for the little guy. She keeps the classroom environment happy and positive and has an unheard amount of patience. Aside from being a teacher, she is a wonderful person. Despite teaching math, I looked forward to her class even if I often struggled with understanding it. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than her.”

Nominated by: Laney Emerson, student

Nathan Webb, Riverview Elementary; administrator

Susan Christensen, Riverview Elementary; administrator

“I have the privilege of working with outstanding administrators across the west area, and collaborating with Nate and Susan is always energizing. Their positivity and willingness to tackle difficult challenges stand out. They genuinely care for every student and staff member, and they are never afraid to roll up their sleeves and expand teams to support kids with the interventions they need. With their leadership, Alpine District and Riverview Elementary are in excellent hands. Thank you for uplifting your school community and motivating me through your example to strive to be a better leader.

Nominated by: Jack Kingsford, district employee

Asenath Rallison, Westlake High; teacher

Ms. Rallison is a great teacher that pushes me to do my best and excels in teaching every type of student. She is a great example and all of her students look up to her. She has such a good style of teaching and is just amazing.”

Nominated by: Ranger Favila, student

Ms. Rallison is a very understanding teacher and puts her students before herself. She creates a fun atmosphere for her class and makes an effort to connect with you personally as a student. She has made a easy to navigate canvas and makes instructions very clear and simple.”

Nominated by: Johnson Luke, student

Ms.Rallison is compassionate and understanding of her students. She works with them instead of against them.”

Nominated by: Brianne Bales, student

Ms. Rallison is a great English teacher. She is enjoyable to talk to and she helps us work out our essays in a way that makes them manageable and not overwhelming, and I can tell she wants a good future for all of her students.”

Nominated by: Chase Rose, student

Ms. Rallison has helped me learn a lot about writing. She has made a college writing class as beneficial as it should be but without all the stress and pressure. Ms. Rallison’s love for what she teaches is obvious and contagious. I really appreciate how she checks in with each student to make sure they are on track and if they have any questions. Ms. Rallison exemplifies all the qualities that the RISE award recognizes.”

Nominated by: Halle Cowan, student

Amy Benton, Windsor Elementary; teacher

Ms. Benton wants the best for her students and she goes the extra mile to help them learn and feel like they are part of the class team.

Nominated by: Amber Anderson, parent

Patsy Tam, Windsor Elementary; teacher

Mrs. Tam is amazing. She is everything that RISE stands for. Her positive and bright attitude makes it fun in her class. She makes learning Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture so fun with her activities and lessons.

Nominated by: Sunny Lomu, student

Craig Bell, Riverview Elementary; PLC Coach

I was in one of Mr. Bell’s sixth grade classes a while ago. And every time I’m in a new class that I think is absolutely amazing I can’t help but compare it to sixth grade. Mr. Bell was the best teacher by far that I’ve ever had. I wish that I could go back and relive it, even now as a senior. Mr. Bell kept the entire class happy and was quick to dissolve conflict (especially in my drama filled friend group.) Thank you, Mr. Bell. I loved your class.

Nominated by: Lilly Gunnell, student

Ranae Durfee, Saratoga Shores Elementary; teacher

Ms. Durfee has done a great job managing a large classroom filled with very lively kids this year. My very active son enjoys going to class every day. He feels like he is a valued member of his class. Ms. Durfee has been great to work with during parent meetings as well. I hope she is recognized for all the work she puts into running her classroom as well as she does.

Nominated by: Katie Romo, parent

Noemi Jones, Bonneville Elementary; administrator

Noemi is the Swiss Army Knife at our school. Noemi is our TAA and I don’t know what we would do with her. Noemi is consistently helping teachers with students that need someone in their class to assist with students. She never hesitates to jump in where she is needed. Even with students that are having a REALLY difficult time. She rarely gets a hot lunch, or a lunch at all for that matter. Her Dr. Peppers are always warm and flat. She works hard to help keep Bonneville running. Thank You Noemi.

Nominated by: Camie Howlett, district employee

Maureen Hatch, Westlake High; teacher

Maureen Hatch is the choir director at Westlake. Miss Hatch is a teacher who actually expects respect and effort from her students. This motivates me to try my hardest, I want to impress her because she isn’t like so many other teachers, who accept every excuse and don’t put in the effort to make their students learn. She wants me and my classmates to succeed in the choral world, so she makes us practice, she pressures us to memorize music and always pay attention to what we’re doing. I love choir, and I would not be at the level I’m at now without Miss Hatch.

Nominated by: Elena Krueger, student

Mrs. Hatch is an amazing choir teacher. My son has/is learning so much from her. I truly appreciate all of the hard work she puts in to making choir engaging and fun. From the music selections to field trips she puts her heart into all she does. Thank you!”

Nominated by: Katharine Hales, parent

Marcus Draper, Timpanogos High; teacher

He is a great perosn and supporter for the latin community helping them and make them feel more include in a enviroment where for most of the people, reat techer and great friend he has help a lot of people around the school and for a reason he is one of the most loved teachers in the school.

Nominated by: Heiner Felipe Rincon Lopera, student

Jonathan Wrigley, Timberline Middle; administrator

Mr. Wrigley was the best teacher I ever had, he always taught the lessons in a fun and interesting way and he helped me learn to love history. He is such a cool and uplifting guy who has made a huge impact on my life by being a role model and being nice to everyone he meets. Thank you, Mr. Wrigley!

Nominated by: Harper Johnson, student

Anne Davis, Westlake High; teacher

I’ve had a lot of issues with English teachers in the past but Ms. Davis was one of the only ones who treated me like a person and encouraged me. Davis treats her students like the adults (or almost adults) that we are and if you respect her she’ll respect you ,which is nice. She is a great teacher and cares about what she’s teaching and she’ll give it to you straight which is a great change of pace from other teachers who beat around the bush. All in all she is a great teacher who made her students feel like they could achive their dreams and helped them not only in English but with their lives.

Nominated by: Audrey Glauser, student

Ms. Davis is a great teacher that helped me get through 11th grade English. She made class fun, enjoyable and engaging and she should be recognized for the effort she puts into her classes.”

Nominated by: Ashton Hansen, student

Amber Peterson, Westlake High; student advocate

Every day when I show up to school, Amber comes up to me and asks how I’m doing. She is always there to make sure I’m doing ok with school, but also with work and home. She’s someone I can go up to and ask her for help with just about anything and I know she will be there to help and support me in everything I’m doing. She’s always giving me support and encouragement with school. I don’t know what I’d do without Amber.

Nominated by: Aaron Snow, student

Melody Liao, Black Ridge Elementary; teacher

I would like to nominate Mrs. Liao, a first-grade Chinese teacher, for her dedication to inspiring her students. As a parent, I have seen the incredible impact of her teaching firsthand. My daughter comes home each day singing cheerful songs in Chinese and enthusiastically sharing what she has learned. Mrs. Liao’s passion for teaching and her commitment to creating a vibrant, welcoming classroom environment not only make Chinese language learning delightful, but also reflect the dedication of immersion teachers everywhere who adapt and bring cultural richness to their students’ lives.

Nominated by: Katherine Su, parent

Cindy Skillicorn, Sego Lily Elementary; teacher

Mrs. Skillicorn made a massive impact on my life and because of her I met my best friends.

Nominated by: Ezra Childs, student

Cathy Matheson, Ridgeline Elementary; teacher

Cathy has been such a great asset to our team. She works hard and produces an incredible quality of work. She helps us all to be better and she is so kind and thoughtful. I have really enjoyed working with Cathy!

Nominated by: Cassie Wright, district employee

Vanessa Colorado, Orem Elementary; administrator

Vanessa consistently strives to deliver the best supports to students and employees by being quick to respond and open to collaborating with others. Vanessa always has a smile and a person knows they can count on her to get answers and solutions.

Nominated by: Natasha Isom, district employee

Vicki Jensen, Centennial Elementary; speech language pathologist

Vicki is a speech language pathologist at my school, and she goes above and beyond in supporting student needs. She is collaborative, thoughtful, student and family oriented, and always focused on how we can help students grow in the best, most meaningful way possible. She helps support students with a wide range of needs and abilities and is individualized in her support of each one. She is a wonderful person to work with and a huge benefit to our school and students!

Nominated by: Sarah LeMonte, district employee

Cassie Wright, Mountain Ridge Junior; school psychologist

Cassie always has the best, positive attitude and her smile brings a smile to others’ faces.

Nominated by: Mark Jamison, district employee

Kelli Hall, Timberline Middle; teacher

Kelli is extremely hard working. She is so dedicated to see her students with IEPs make progress. She empathizes with students who are struggling emotionally, and will do her part to help students feel safe and wanted at school. She always holds students to a high standard regardless of their disability. She believes in students and goes above and beyond for students and their families. Despite the challenges SPED can bring, this year Kelli has remained positive and such a great team player!

Nominated by: Melissa Aiono, district employee

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