USOE Teacher of the Year 2011

Teacher of the Year 2011

2011 Teacher of the Year – Gay Beck

Gay Beck is a Kindergarten teacher at Highland Elementary School in the Alpine School District. She has taught for 16 years and 9 of those years were spent at Highland. Gay loves to see the faces of her students light up when they come into her room, this is what she has to say about her students: “I love it when I see a student read a sentence for the first time and they smile up at me saying, “ I can read!” It is rewarding to see a small group of students working with blocks and the intricate patterns they create. It is also fun to run into a student in the community. The reward of seeing their enthusiasm as they recognize me outside of school is precious to me. When they realize that I do not live at Highland Elementary, it surprises and delights them! There is great joy in watching the progress of a five-year-old mind-from learning the abc’s to reading, from counting to five, to adding and subtracting by the end of the year. I find it rewarding going to my classroom, each day, to meet the challenges of eager and diverse learners. It is gratifying that I can make the school environment enriching and one of the best parts of a student’s day. It is such a reward to see children improve their behavior and to learn to self- manage. Seeing children learn to improve their work habits and take pride in a quality finished product is satisfying. I love seeing learners who find a niche they become passionate about. It is also wonderful to see students learn to appreciate each other and work together. Watching the development of young children learning appropriate social skills is truly amazing. I also feel very fortunate to have developed many meaningful relationships with students and their families. However, the biggest reward is the intrinsic value of knowing I made a difference in a child’s life.”

Rhonda Bromley, an administrator at the Alpine School District, and who has also had two of her 6 children in Gay’s class writes, “Gay is one of the most positive and loving teachers that I have ever met. As an administrator as well as a mother, I have worked with my share of teachers. Gay is genuinely concerned about every one of her students, current as well as former. I remember an experience with my daughter when she wasn’t feeling well one night. We talked about the fact that she might not be able to go to school the next morning if she wasn’t feeling better. My daughter was so sad at the thoughts of missing school, but she was very worried about Mrs. Beck. When I asked her why she was worried for her teacher, she told me that if she misses school the next day, Mrs. Beck would be so sad not to have her there. As a mother, I loved hearing the confidence that my five year old had in knowing that her teacher cared for her so much.

Please feel free to view the:

Teacher of the Year 2011 Banquet Images

Teacher of the Year 2011 Images, Washington, D.C.

Recognition in Washington, D.C., in the Rose Garden

National Teacher of the Year 2011 Conference Images, Dallas, Texas

Why I Teach

2011 Utah Teacher of the Year Accomplishments

Our very own 2011 Utah Teacher of the Year, Gay Beck, was featured in the March/April issue of Utah Valley Magazine, in the Fab 50 Section. She can be found on page 58.