Utah Teacher of the Year (UTOY)

 

Utah Teacher of the Year (UTOY)

 

Overview

Every year, across the state of Utah, local education districts celebrate public education and the vital role of excellent teachers by selecting and honoring their district teacher of the year. Each of these district teachers of the year are then considered for selection as a finalist for the Utah Teacher of the Year (UTOY) program. Five finalists are selected and interviewed by a volunteer selection committee.

In the fall, a gala banquet is held to celebrate all nominees, and to announce the Utah Teacher of the Year.

While the UTOY program does select one winner each year, the vision of the program extends beyond the annual award. The UTOY program works to expand and promote the role of teacher leaders in Utah, supporting retention efforts at the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The UTOY program celebrates the importance of teacher excellence. We are grateful for the work of districts across the state of Utah who identify and honor their teachers, helping tell the positive story of K-12 public education in Utah.

Thank you for your participation in the program, a fantastic way to celebrate excellence, teacher leadership, and the vital role teachers play in the lives of Utah students.

2025 Utah Teacher of the Year Nominations

Nominations Must be Submitted by School Districts and Public Charter Schools Directly.

  • Each Utah school district and public charter school is encouraged to submit a nomination for UTOY. Please contact Katie Jones at katie.jones@schools.utah.gov for information on how to submit your nomination.
  • Only one nomination is allowed per school district and public charter school, so please coordinate your nomination before submission.
  • Once we have received your nomination, we will contact your nominee via e-mail and invite them to apply.

Utah’s Teacher of the Year should be an active classroom teacher who:

  • Is an expert in their field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence.
  • Collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success.
  • Deliberately connects the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large.
  • Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning.
  • Expresses themselves in an engaging and articulate way.

An active classroom teacher is one who is planning to continue teacher (example: not retiring or moving into an administrative position in the next year) and who has an active classroom teaching assignment.

Important Dates

April 1, 2024
USBE will begin accepting nominations. An email will be sent to current district/charter representatives soliciting a nominee.

April 30, 2024
Nomination Deadline.

May 1, 2024
Invitations to apply, along with the link to the application, will be sent to all nominees.

June 15, 2024
Application Deadline (by invitation only).

 

UTOY Contacts

Katie Jones
Teacher of the Year Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7923| E-mail

Pam Talili
Executive Secretary

Phone: (801) 538-7770 | E-mail