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South Jordan Chamber Honors Outstanding Educators

Dec 08, 2015 01:29PM ● By Julie Slama

By Julie Slama

South Jordan - South Jordan Chamber recently awarded 19 educators with certificates of appreciation for giving their time, love and expertise to students.

“We feel like our teachers need to be honored because they work so hard with the kids and just want to give them a small thank-you for the big job they do,” South Jordan Chamber business manager Shelley Potts said. 

At the annual luncheon ceremony held Oct. 22, each of the 19 school principals or administrators spoke about the qualities that made the educator special to his or her school. 

South Jordan principal Ken Westwood said it’s easy to understand why his school’s Lois Mortensen was honored.

“Lois is a second grade teacher who does a great job with the kids, but is most noteworthy for her positive attitude and influence school-wide,” he said.

Elk Meadows principal Aaron Ichimura said that his school’s award-winner, speech and language therapist Pixie Brock, was nominated by several people at her school with comments that she is respectful, supportive, dedicated, has a warm and positive personality and is the “rock” of Elk Meadow’s support services. 

One nomination stated, “Most of the speech students she works with struggle academically, and she is always encouraging them to do their best and follow their teachers’ directions and rules.”

Ichimura added: “Parents appreciate how knowledgeable and helpful she is in working with their students. The students are her No. 1 priority.”

In addition to the certificate, each recipient received a pencil holder with his or her name engraved on it, and a gift bag with donations from local businesses. In addition, several area businesses also helped sponsor the event.

“A lot of people and businesses were involved to make this happen. We couldn’t honor our teachers without their help,” Potts said.

Those educators who were honored include: Jeanette Herrera of American Heritage of South Jordan, Breckon Heywood of Bingham High School, Josh Frampton of Daybreak Elementary, Darci Cordero of Early Light Academy,  Brooke Mueller of Eastlake Elementary, Pixie Brock of Elk Meadows Elementary, Amanda Mair of Elk Ridge Middle School, LeAnn Nisson of Itineris Early College High School, Julie Huffman of Jordan Applied Technical Center, Tamara Baggett of Jordan Ridge Elementary, Amy Fullmer of Moßnte Vista Elementary, Alexie Baugh of Paradigm High School, Melanie Canick of River’s Edge, Tyler Rose of Roseman University, Lois Mortensen of South Jordan Elementary, Jennifer Jarrard of South Jordan Middle School, Lindsey Baxter of University of Phoenix, Bryan Burr of Valley High School and Lynette Blanchette of Welby Elmentary.