Before school was out, Jordan Education Foundation members, joined by the Jordan School District superintendent and educational and community leaders, surprised outstanding teachers at every Jordan School District school in their classrooms, hallways and school gyms for their leadership, dedication and passion to educating students.

“It's the best part of the year when you get to honor people who are doing great work,” Superintendent Anthony Godfrey said. “It's rewarding for us to make sure teachers know how much they're appreciated, that we are very aware of a tremendous positive impact they make in the lives of children. And our principals put in so much time and they carry this concentrated worry about every child and every adult. It's an honor to have the opportunity to recognize them for all the time they give and how much they give of themselves on behalf of students and employees.”

Among the teachers honored, four South Jordan educators, Corrie Chase, Robert Robertson, Megan Morrison and Brooke Mueller, were recognized for their exceptional work in education. They were treated to an awards banquet sponsored by area business partners where they received a crystal award and $1,000. Joining them was the outstanding principal of the year, Suzie Wiliams, who has directed two South Jordan elementary schools.

Corrie Chase, Monte Vista Elementary

Recognized as one of the district’s top outstanding educators of the year, Chase was overwhelmed by the recognition.

“This is what I always wanted to do; I’ve always wanted to educate people,” she said about her teaching career. “What’s the most rewarding and gives me joy is when students come to class excited about whatever we’re learning today.”

On the day of the ceremony, her class was having a Socratic seminar about the Apollo 11 mission about “what it meant to the country and to the world.” Earlier in the year, they held World War I and II simulations.

When students return to Chase’s classroom to visit, they reminisce about those discussions and other projects and she gets the same satisfaction.

“I see the lasting impact,” she said. “This is my ninth year at Monte Vista. It's a wonderful school. It's an institution in the community. The parents are involved, and the kids are loving and caring.”

Chase, who entered the career later in life, said the honor was meaningful.

“Every day feels like a gift,” she said.

Robert Robertson, Mountain Creek Middle 

Robertson was recognized for nearly 25 years of inspiring students and sparking curiosity in the classroom. Known for his hands-on approach, he brings science to life through activities such as launching rockets, conducting chemical demonstrations and engaging eighth-grade students in interactive labs that make complex concepts understood.

Asked to step out into the hall where he was surprised by the honor, Robertson said the award “wasn’t even in my mind at all” and worried about the crystal lab he planned to do with his students that class period.

Robertson’s passion for science helps him fuel engaging experiences for his students, often talking about current events such as a volcano eruption or a recent space launch. His rock collection and a dinosaur bone help to engage his students’ interests. His goal is to help students who already enjoy science to “like it even more” while encouraging those who don’t, to “dislike it less.” 

He genuinely loves to see his students’ “aha” moments and recounted when he introduced Newton's cradle to a class. 

“I asked the students what they thought would happen and one student said, ‘They're going to stop; they're going to cancel each other out.’  When I let go and they bounced back the way they had been released, she literally screamed, thinking I tricked her, but she figured it out,” Robertson said. “I love seeing that.”

Megan Morrison, South Jordan Middle

Morrison, who was recognized for her dedication, positivity and communication and trust with her special education students, was tricked into returning to school while on maternity leave. While visiting her classroom, students, staff and family celebrated her.

“It’s super awesome to be recognized, but truly, I love these students and would do it any day,” she said. “I always tell people my hobby is my job because I love it. I truthfully tell people I don't know if I could be a gen ed teacher, because I would get bored teaching the same things every day. The fun part about my job is I have something new that happens every minute.”

Morrison has 11 special education students this term, but she also oversees about 70 peer tutors. She also supports students in unified sports, building a culture of friendship and belonging in the school.

“There’s a cool culture of inclusion here at our school,” she said. “Ever since I was a peer tutor in eighth grade, I’ve wanted to teach students with disabilities. I love the happiness and things I can learn from my students. The biggest thing is we're all different, and our differences are what make us who we are, so it's OK to be different.”

Brooke Mueller, Aspen Elementary

Jordan School District set a goal for kindergarten students to learn letter names and sounds within two months of starting school. In Mueller’s class, 100%a of students accomplished that goal. Known for setting high expectations and supporting students with differentiated instruction, her methods have been praised by parents, colleagues and administrators.

However, she was humbled and almost turned away when she realized a crowd gathered to honor her.

“It’s not my favorite thing to be in the spotlight,” Mueller said afterward. “It was a big, big surprise that was very heartwarming.”

While it still was “overwhelming” to think about it, she said the award is meaningful because it affirms her 15-year dedication in helping students grow and succeed.

“What I’m doing everyday matters; I love the kindergartners’ eagerness to learn, how everything is so new and novel to them so the smallest thing can become the biggest deal,” Mueller said. “I see the smiles on their faces and how much they’ve learned; this is where I am meant to be.”

Suzie Williams, Aspen Elementary principal

Before there was a school, Williams was knocking on doors, introducing herself as the principal of the school, which was under construction. While there were a few houses nearby, she had an obstructed view to the west of the Kennecott Copper Mine.

“Soon, there will be houses filling the neighborhood and students from those homes coming to Aspen,” she said before she opened the school doors five years ago.

Williams, as outstanding principal of the year, was recognized for her dedicated leadership and commitment to student success. District leaders say she fostered academic growth, supported diverse learners and built a strong, connected school community.

However, Williams emphasized the honor reflects the collective work happening at her school — “our team, we’ve had success stories of kids who made excellent gains, both academically and behaviorally, socially”— while also expressing how meaningful it is personally: “It means everything to me because I put my heart and soul into this. I’m very honored to be recognized in such a way.”

She also led the strong community at Eastlake Elementary, where she served for more than five years. Before that, Williams enjoyed the insight and in-depth conversations from teaching sixth-grade students for eight years as well as served as an assistant principal.

“I didn't ever intend to teach,” she said, recalling a principal called her to have her substitute teach her son’s class, then said he wanted to hire her – so she switched careers.

Williams went back to school to earn her credentials and studied at the same time as her children.

“I had kids in college at the same time I was in college; it was awesome,” she said. “I knew it was something I needed to do, and I'm grateful. It's been an amazing journey.”

Even with this award, Williams remains focused: “This makes me want to do better because we can always do better.”