Emery School District Honors Employees of the Year

Emery District Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Jasa Norton, receives the congratulations of Superintendent Larry Davis and Elementary Supervisor Ralph Worthen.

Press Release

HUNTINGTON- Diane Carter, language arts teacher at Emery High School, has been named the Emery School District Teacher of the Year as well as the Secondary Teacher of the Year. Joining Mrs. Carter as year-end district award recipients are Jasa Norton, Cottonwood first grade teacher, as Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Colleen Bott, Castle Dale secretary, as the Classified Employee of the Year.

The announcement of these awards came from the Emery School District Administrative Team after a review of nominees from schools and departments throughout the district. Each of the winners has been honored in their respective schools and will be recognized by the Emery School District Board of Education in its June meeting.

As the district’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Carter is eligible to participate in the Utah State Board of
Education’s Utah Teacher of the Year event. The Utah winner will be considered for National Teacher of the Year. According to Noralee Green of the USBE, “We look forward to selecting a 2018 Utah Teacher of the Year who will continue the tradition of representing Utah and the teaching profession. The Utah selection committee will meet this summer to consider all district nominations, and we will make the announcement in September.”

Mrs. Carter has been in the Emery District for 27 years, having taught at San Rafael Jr. High and Emery High School. Superintendent Larry Davis said of the award winner, “Having worked with Mrs. Carter in the language arts department at Emery High for many years, I certainly support this recognition of her dedication to her craft and her commitment to her students over a long career. She represents the best in our profession.” Mrs. Carter was nominated for the award by Steven Gordon, principal at Emery High School.

Nominating Jasa Norton was Principal John Hughes of Cottonwood Elementary who said of his first grade teacher, “Jasa has been a highly regarded teacher in the Emery School District since 2006 when she started at Castle Dale. She has taught in nearly every elementary school in our district… and has found a home at Cottonwood.” He added that she is “a dedicated and knowledgeable teacher. Her ability to get the most challenging students to learn is a talent less observed these days… Students respond to her because she truly loves each and every one of them, and they know it.”

In nominating Colleen Bott for Classified Employee of the Year, Castle Dale Principal Melinda Durrant said, “Colleen has served Castle Dale Elementary for 15 years and has done a dynamic job. She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty at Castle Dale Elementary. She spends numerous hours before and after school as well as during the summer to make sure that things are running smoothly. Colleen always has a smile and a kind word for everyone whether faculty, staff, parent, or community member.”

These award winners will be honored by the Emery Board of Education at the June 21, board meeting at the district office. The meeting begins at 7 pm.