Elementary teacher is Teacher of Year

Jenny Atcitty, a renowned teacher from Montezuma Creek Elementary School, is the 2017 Teacher of the Year for the San Juan School District. Atcitty was presented the honor at a March 6 banquet sponsored by the San Juan School District Education Foundation.
She has taught for the past 11 years, with the majority of her time spent at Montezuma Creek and Bluff elementary schools. As the San Juan School District Teacher of the Year, she will represent the district at the Utah State Teacher of the Year competition.
“The qualities that Jenny has are numerous,” writes Montezuma Creek Elementary Principal Boyd Silversmith. “She is patient, dedicated, caring, passionate and invested: all qualities that make for an excellent employee and an amazing teacher.
“The patience she shows with her students is exemplary. She is dedicated to their love of learning and success in the classroom.
“Jenny truly cares for each of her students individually and is passionate about them achieving their full potential. The extra time she spends making her teaching so effective is a true testament of her investment in teaching.
“It’s no wonder she is a lead teacher at Montezuma Creek Elementary School. We are lucky to have her on our team!”
Atcitty is one of 21 teachers and educators in the San Juan School District who were honored for their efforts. Each of the 12 schools in the district can name a teacher of the year and a classified employee of the year.
The evening included a great meal, a message from Superintendent Edward Lyman, and a tribute to all teachers from Liz Adams, the 2016 teacher of the year from Blanding Elementary School.
While Jenny Atcitty is the teacher of the year at Montezuma Creek Elementary, the classified employee of the year at the school is Fernando Fonseca.
Second grade teacher Karen Lee is the teacher of the year at Blanding Elementary School, while reading specialist Susanne Johnson is the classified employee of the year.
The teacher of the year at Bluff Elementary is Nicole Wallis, while instructional aide Fenesia Manygoats is the classified employee of the year.
At Monticello Elementary School, teacher of the year is kindergarten teacher Stephanie Pehrson and the classified employee of the year is cafeteria supervisor Susan Reeve.
Somchai Sanders, a leader in integrating STEM instruction in the classroom, is teacher of the year at Tse’bii’nidzisgai Elementary School, while the classified employee is Julie Holiday, who leads the after-school programs.
Teacher of the year at Albert R. Lyman Middle School (ARL) in Blanding is Ryan Palmer, a teacher who also leads the journalism class at the school.Classified employee of the year at ARL is Colleen Burningham, who works with disabled students.
At Monticello High School, special education teacher Julie Lewis is teacher of the year. The classified employee of the year is librarian and athletic director Krieg Adair.
Howard Dee is teacher of the year at Monument Valley High School, while Parker Johnson is classified employee of the year.
Math teacher Kelli Keyes is the teacher of the year at San Juan High, while Sheri Pugh is classified employee of the year.
Art instructor Georgiana Simpson is teacher of the year at Whitehorse High School, while Robin Henderson is the classified employee of the year.
Melissa Slade is classified employee of the year in the District Office.
Profiles of each of the winners, written by their principal or supervisor, are available at the San Juan Record website.
The San Juan District Foundation Board includes Rhea Laws, Dr. Ed Lyman, Lisa Bradford, Mary Palmer, Blen Freestone, RT Nielson, and Jamie Carling.




SCHOOL CANDIDATES
Blanding Elementary
Bluff Elementary
Montezuma Creek Elementary
Monticello Elementary
Tse’bii’nidzisgai Elementary
Albert R Lyman Middle School
Monticello High School
Monument Valley High School
San Juan High School
Whitehorse High School
District Office