Five South Jordan teachers recently were named as Jordan School District’s Education Foundation outstanding educators. They were surprised with the honor by Superintendent Patrice Johnson, their principals and the Jordan Education Foundation members.

“I am just so surprised because I brought the class down here for an internet assembly and here I am being honored,” South Jordan Elementary fifth-grade teacher Sherri Peisley said moments after being congratulated by Principal Ken Westwood, her students and family. “It makes teaching students, helping struggling students — finding one thing that makes a difference, worth it. I’m so grateful.”

Peisley, along with Eastlake Elementary’s Elizabeth Pollock, Monte Vista Elementary’s Trisha Jensen, Jordan Ridge Elementary’s Terry Miyasaki, and Bingham High’s Sara Newberry, will be recognized with other Jordan School District teachers at a May 6 banquet where each teacher will be honored by their peers, students, parents and principals. They each will receive a crystal award and $1,000.

In addition, Monte Vista’s Donna Willison was named special educator by the Jordan Education Foundation.

Karen Thomson, of Jordan Education Foundation, who team-taught with Peisley for two years, told students, “She truly makes a world of difference.”

Peisley, who has taught for more than 25 years and has been recognized by the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce as an outstanding teacher, is a member of the school’s Leader in Me Lighthouse Team and is the lead in South Jordan Elementary’s annual Angel Tree program.

Peisley was nominated for her outstanding student growth percentile on end-of-level assessments, which ties into monitoring each student’s progress and helps them to succeed. Parents wrote how she makes curriculum relevant, relates subjects to each other, engages students in class and keeps a positive relationship with her students.

“Mrs. Peisley will always be talked about as a favorite teacher in my children’s memories of South Jordan Elementary,” one parent wrote. “She is more than a teacher. She is a listener, a cheerleader, an advocate and a friend.”

Eastlake Principal Kyle Hansen said Elizabeth Pollock is well loved by students, parents, and staff.

“She really helps students make real connections with the concepts she teaches,” he said of Pollock’s 14 years experience.

Jordan Ridge Principal Catherine Anderson said that second-grade teacher Terry Miyasaki, who will retire at the end of the school year, has taught kindergarten and second grade for 23 years, and is the mother of four daughters, all who are or have been teachers.

“Mrs. Miyasaki is very deserving of this award and I am so glad that she is getting this recognition before she leaves the profession,” Anderson said.