School of the Year
Good Foundations Academy
Good Foundations Academy administration, faculty, staff and board work together to increase student engagement, student learning and student success. As a school with an emphasis on character, they work hard to foster in their students a sense of honesty, respect, integrity and responsibility to grow to be contributing members of society. Parent volunteers contribute countless hours to support the school and provide opportunities beyond what the school can provide alone. Their academics and extracurricular activities are strong. The school motto is “Aim High, Work Hard, Be Great!” and that is exactly what happens every day at Good Foundations Academy.
Runner-up: Monticello Academy
Teacher of the Year
Denise Mott, Ascent Academy
Denise is a veteran educator and has changed many students’ lives over her 30 years in education. She maintains very high expectations for academics and behavior in her classroom. Year after year, students stretch themselves to reach those expectations because the students know she loves them and is genuinely concerned for their success. She builds foundations of trust with her students, who are blessed to be in the classroom of this master teacher.
Runner-up: Kathryn Connolly, North Davis Preparatory Academy
Employee of the Year
Gloria Tapia, Dual Immersion Academy
Gloria is the Assessment/RTI Director at DIA. She also manages federal grants. Gloria builds community wherever she goes and advocates for her RTI staff. She is always looking for ways to build her own skill set in order to best serve students and their families. Student achievement has made great progress, and the numbers show it. Gloria brings both levity and professionalism to DIA programs and the school. She is always approachable, positive and effective in her role.
Runner-up: Bruce Hinckley, Career Path High School
Administrator of the Year
Tracey Nelsen, GreenWood Charter School
Tracey is dedicated to GreenWood Charter School. Her confident leadership shows faith in her teachers, staff and students. She showed grit through the pandemic and doesn’t give up on challenges. She literally had to deal with a dumpster fire! She celebrates the positives and encourages students and staff to grow and develop. She has an open-door policy and lends a hand wherever it is needed.
Runner-up: Fernando Seminario, Paradigm High School
Rookie of the Year
Kory Kyker, Itineris Early College High School
Kory is the Registrar at Itineris Early College High School. He has jumped into this essential role with “gusto” and is not afraid to reach out to others, find the best way to complete his role and support students. His attention to detail helped the school stay compliant with the state, while his friendly personality has made him approachable to students and parents. He has tackled the complex master schedule at Itineris with its many concurrent enrollment courses and is constantly looking for ways to improve processes.
Runner-up: Betta Gillespie, Legacy Preparatory Academy
Board of the Year
Voyage Academy
Voyage Academy’s board offers oversight without stepping into management. They have built trust with the administration and the school community by keeping in tune with student needs, achievement levels and staff morale. The board is supportive of school events. While mostly parents, they maintain professionalism and objectivity to serve all students.
Runner-up: Hawthorn Academy
Business Manager of the Year
Nate Adams, Red Apple Financial
Nate works with several public charter schools, including Dual Immersion Academy and CS Lewis Academy. Angela Fanjul, DIA Director, appreciates Nate’s clear management of finances, especially during the pandemic. Diane Nelson, CS Lewis Academy, appreciates that Nate’s attention to detail is “the best.”
Runner-up: Brad Wilkinson, Summit Academy
Legislators of the Year
Representative Susan Pulsipher and Senator Lincoln Fillmore, Co-Chairs, Education Appropriations Committee, Utah Legislature
Representative Pulsipher and Senator Fillmore have worked tirelessly for public education, with attention to public charter schools, to provide significant funding. The WPU was increased 6% overall, with additional funds going to teacher salary increases, full-day kindergarten funding and high-risk student funding. Charter school base funding and LRF funding were also increased. Representative Pulsipher worked to simplify reporting.
