Local teacher, administrator and staff receive Canyons School District Apex awards

Corrie Barrett, an assistant principal at Alta High School, has been named “School Administrator of the Year” by Canyons School District.

The school district held its second annual Apex awards ceremony on Sept. 13 to honor outstanding and exemplary performance of educators, employees, legislators, city officials, community leaders and volunteers who support the students of Canyons District.

 “Corrie has really distinguished herself as someone who is very student-friendly and very committed to the success of individual students. She is very well respected by her colleagues in our district and by the kids whom she serves,” Superintendent David Doty said. “[Barrett] was also asked to move from Butler Middle to Alta under some pretty challenging circumstances, which she did graciously.”

Naomi Damron, a fifth-grade teacher at Quail Hollow Elementary, received the “Teacher of the Year” award for adhering to the highest standards of educational excellence.

 “She is a true professional; she focuses on her students and gets to know each one of them at the beginning of the school year,” Marilyn Williams, former principal of Quail Hollow said. “She meets with them regularly throughout the school year, making sure that they are on track and making progress. She is just all around an amazing teacher and makes sure that her students thrive.”

Vo Lam, “Education Support Official of the Year” has been a custodian for 25 years, starting when he was just 14 years old. Born in Cambodia, but moved to the U.S. from Vietnam, Lam loves and appreciates his job working with the children and staff at Sandy Elementary.

 “It’s just like a big family,” he said. Administrators at the school agree that Lam is an asset to the school. “If he takes a day off, it’s almost as if we should shut the school down because he works so hard,” Assistant Principal Jodi Roberts said.

 Doty was impressed with the quality and conduct of all who were nominated and selected for these awards. “Every one of the individuals receiving an Apex award from the Board of Education have made and will continue to make outstanding contributions to our community and that’s why we give these awards,” he said.

Other Apex awards winners include: Rick Conger, District Administrator of the Year; Connie Crosby, Legacy Award; Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini,, Elected Official of the Year, Jill Rawle, Willow Springs Elementary, Volunteer of the Year” and Chick-fil-A South Towne Marketplace, “Business Partner of the Year.”