Pub. 9 2019-2020 Issue 3

14 Lifetime Achievement Award: Trudy Sorenson, North Star Academy Board Chair and Founding Member Teacher of the Year: Rebecca Hay, Career and Major Explorations Teacher, UCAS At the start of the charter school infancy in Utah, Trudy Sorenson had a vision of schools that valued every child as a unique individual filled with their own innate sense of curiosity. In 2005, she was instrumental in writing the charter for North Star Academy that would be based on the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), aligning her philosophy with education. She served as a member and President of the Board of Trustees for the next fifteen years. North Star Academy and the Board received recognition from the Utah State Charter Board and most recently UAPCS with the Utah Board of the year Award in 2019. Her expertise and dedication to the school included re-bonding twice and participating on the finance committee. During her tenure the school would remain as one of the top academic schools in the state. Ms. Sorenson also served on the founding board of Ascent Academies of Utah, giving them her experience and extensive knowledge of the SEM. Her contributions are greatly appreciated by all who have worked with her and the children who have benefitted from her hours of dedication. Rebecca Hay teaches Career and Major Explorations at the Utah County Academy of Sciences. All seniors take this course and it serves as a base of support since most seniors are otherwise at UVU for their coursework. Ms. Hay knows all seniors on an individual level. She takes time to cater her lessons directly to their needs. She sets up check ins with them on a regular basis and she is consistent about referring students to counselors or administration as needed. Ms. Hay cares for her students by providing small gifts, brain breaks, exercise tips, and de-stressing exercises. She teaches students how to advocate for themselves and how to be self-sufficient. Her enthusiasm and caring are evident. Ms.Hay plays a leadership role among the faculty; not because she has been assigned, but because she is present, committed, and wise. Ms. Hay is passionate about her subject and the impact that she can have on her students. For these reasons, Ms. Hay is the Teacher of the Year.