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Show Volume V, Issue XI THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 5 March 15, 2002 Local Teacher Retires After 25 Years at Valley By Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Staff An institution at Valley Elementary, Jane McVaugh retired earlier this year after teaching at the school for the past 25 years. With at total of 32 years of Jane McVaugh teaching behind her, McVaugh has taught kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Michelle Evans, who has worked with McVaugh for the past 15 years, stated, “I can think of few teachers who have done as much for Valley Elementary, and the greater community, as Jane McVaugh. Her dedication to the profession has been an example for hundreds of teachers. I love her . . . she is my friend.” Other peers state, “She is always happy and energetic!” McVaugh earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, and Child Development and Family Relations from BYU, and her Masters in Elementary Education from Weber State University. She also earned 75 hours of graduate credit from BYU in Child Development and Family Relations, and Psychology. McVaugh has captured numerous awards and honors, and initiated many successful programs during her teaching career. To name only a few: 2000 State of Utah Reading Teacher Award; 1994-’95 Weber School District Teacher of the Year, and runner up to Utah State Teacher of the Year; 1995 Excellence in English/Language Arts Instruction Award, and State Finalist; SHOPA Foundation for Educational Excellence Award, 1998; and numerous Standard-Examiner “An Apple For the Teacher Awards, and the KSL “Teacher Feature” Award. McVaugh has gleaned many grants for the school, including the State Reading Grant, two Land Grants for 2000-2002; the Utah History Sesquicentennial Grant; Weber School Foundation Novel publication grants, and State of Utah “Leaf-It-To-Us” Crusade for Trees grant. During the past ten years she initiated, along with teacher Cary Davis, the annual Valley Shakespearean Festival with green show, feast, and play; developed, with teacher Michelle Evans, the nature trail and center at the school; researched and wrote four historical novels about Ogden Valley; and, since 1998, has collected books for Zimbabwe, and gathered winter cloth- ing for displaced persons in Kosovo. She also developed a “Reading for Learners” program at the school. Valley Elementary principal Brad Larsen said, “I have never worked with We’re going to miss her.” McVaugh states that she has been able to accomplish what she has because of the 150% support she has received from parents who have A collage of events in Jane McVaugh’s career. another teacher who has had as much energy as Jane McVaugh. She is a very hard worker, and also very creative. She is the kind of person who sees the larger picture—a visionary. She inspires many others to do and be the same—both teachers and students. “She is probably the most giving and generous educator I’ve come across. She is always willing to give and share her time and talents. . . . worked, in and out of in the classroom, on projects with her through the years. She also attributes her success to the great support she’s received from the PTA and principals Bill Warner and Brad Larsen. McVaugh says that even though she is retiring, she still hopes to substitute teach, and to volunteer in the schools, helping to keep education alive! EDEN PARK’S 3rd ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT (If there is still snow on the ground, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Snowcrest Jr. High.) Saturday, March 30, 2002 11:00 A.M. EDEN PARK For ALL children of the Valley, ages up to 11. If anyone would like to donate, please send contributions to Eden Park, P O Box 961, EDEN UT 84310 We are not able to have this wonderful event if we don’t collect enough donations. In the past, it has been totally funded by individuals and businesses of the Valley. |