Connect Canyons

Send us Fan Mail Choose your aphorism, from “it takes a village” to “many hands make light work.” There are many phrases we use every day to emphasize the importance of a group of people working together — and nowhere is the spirit of teamwork more apparent than in a public school system.    Canyons employs about 6,000 professionals, all of whom play a vital role in providing a high-quality educat...

Send us Fan Mail For those who finished school before the 2000s, the idea of STEM or STEAM may as well be an entirely new subject in school, but it’s not a new curriculum – it’s a framework for teaching.  In the latest episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with Chandra Martz – Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist for Canyons District, and Cynthia Lloyd, CSD’s Elementary STEM Specialist. We d...

Send us Fan Mail The vision of success for Canyons School District is that every student will graduate college- and career-ready. That extends through the average grade levels and beyond with the Canyons Transition Academy (CTA).  In this week’s episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with Linda Hall, the Administrator over CTA as well as Brian McGill, the director of Student Wellness Services, wh...

Send us Fan Mail From zombies and vampires to Wonder Women, Barbies, and Kens, Canyons District students are looking forward to Halloween. With that excitement comes a word of caution: In the past three years, there have been 3,200 Halloween-related injuries across the country. We want to make sure this year’s spooky festivities are fun but also safe. On this week’s episode of Connect Canyons, we...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how AI could revolutionize the way we learn, teach, and operate in educational institutions? We promise you an enlightening expedition into the world of AI in the classroom with the insightful Jonathan Stewart and Emma Moss, both stalwarts from the Instructional Supports Department at Canyons School District. They not only demystify different types of AI - generative...

Send us Fan Mail The nation’s public schools are remarkably safe, and rates of bullying are on the decline.   But maintaining safe, bully-free learning environments remains a priority in Canyons District — and families can help by understanding the signs of bullying and what to do if they suspect or spot it. With October being National Bullying Prevention Month, the Connect Canyons podcast crew sa...

Send us Fan Mail Recently, the Canyons School District Board of Education awarded roughly $1.6 million dollars to upgrade our libraries. New books and new reading techniques are being utilized in elementary schools across the District. In this week’s episode, we sit down with Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins, Vice President of the Board of Education Amanda Oaks, and our Library Media Special...

Send us Fan Mail During the 2021 school year – More than 10 million students nationwide were chronically absent – That means they missed 10 percent or more of school days. Students missing class or being late to school has become a bigger problem nationwide since the pandemic. In this episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with one of our principals and program administrators to discuss the growi...

Send us Fan Mail As hundreds of thousands of people in the Kingdom of Morocco pick up the pieces following a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake earlier this month, we’re learning about the resilience of the Moroccan people and the partnership they have with one of our own. Andrew Edtl is a member of the Canyons School District Board of Education. He’s also a member of the Utah Air National Guard...

Send us Fan Mail Mental health is having its moment. It seems, everywhere you look there are testimonials and statements about prioritizing our mental health and invitations to better ourselves. This wave of affirmation is helping to normalize conversations about mental health, creating a safe space for those who are struggling to seek out therapeutic resources and tools.  So, we sat down with Kel...

Send us Fan Mail Recently we observed National Overdose Awareness Day. It’s a topic we’d all like to avoid but an important discussion to have. How do we talk to our children about drugs? When do we start those conversations? What should we do in the event of an overdose and what are the signs to watch for? This week on Connect Canyons, we sit down with Jen Gerrard, school nurse specialist for Can...

Send us Fan Mail Paraeducators play a pivotal role within our district. These dedicated individuals provide unwavering support to teachers, nurture young minds, and contribute to the overall growth of our district. However, we're currently facing – a shortage of paraeducators. Canyons, urgently needs individuals to step in and fill these crucial roles. Paraeducators preform diverse roles that...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what a $10,000 Innovation Grant would mean for your classroom? Join us as we chat with Fred Lowry, president of the Canyons Education Foundation Board, along with two-time grant recipients, Emma Moss and Clief Castleton, who are transforming their classrooms with these grants. Fred reveals the staggering amount the Foundation has distributed in grants over the years –...

Send us Fan Mail Stepping into the hallway of a middle school can be a scary moment for many Canyons students as well as their parents. Our guest, Alison Keddington wants to alleviate that stress for everyone and help students fully enjoy the sixth grade. Keddington has been with Canyons District for more than a decade, first as a sixth-grade teacher and now as an instructional coach. “Sixth grade...

Send us Fan Mail Do you dream of shaping the future by stepping into the classroom as a teacher? Our guests, Everett Perry from Human Resources and Denise Haycock from the Canyon Education Foundation, are here to illuminate the path forward with the ACE (Aspiring Canyon Educators) Scholarship. This initiative by the Canyon School District is redrawing the landscape for students and staff yearning...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world of floating islands, sky serpents, and thrilling duels - sounds like something out of a fantasy novel, right? Well, our guest, Mark Gregson has turned this fantasy into reality in his trilogy 'Above the Black'. As a seventh-grade ELA teacher by day and an author by night, Mark exemplifies how to turn passion into purpose. With tenacity and perseverance, h...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of books, as we celebrate the victorious teams of the Canyon's District's Book Blitz Junior Contest. Promising a world filled with enchanting characters and riveting plots, this episode brings you face-to-face with Gretchen Zeitzef, the passionate library specialist at CST, who eloquently breaks down why reading is the cornersto...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to uncover the fascinating world of student filmmaking and project-based learning? We promise you'll be captivated by our discussion with Justin Andersen, the chief organizer of the Canyon's District Film Festival, and Jeff Haney, the District's Director of Communications. Together, we embark on a journey that reveals how this annual event provides a platform...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where every child feels safe and supported in their school, regardless of the challenges they face. That's the mission of our guests today – Jay Ballard and Kelly Taylor, two school resource officers (SROs) from Canyon School District, and Charisse Hilton, an administrator who brings a fresh perspective to the table. They're here to share their inspiring...

Send us Fan Mail Dust-sized particles have caused boulder-sized problems for Eastmont Middle School. When asbestos was found in dust kicked up by crews replacing flooring at Eastmont during Winter Recess, it triggered a response with major implications. Since that time, the building has been shuttered to the public, a mitigation plan was sent to state environmental regulators, workers began the pa...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to arm your students with the tools to distinguish fact from fiction in this digital age where misinformation is rampant? Leslie Morris, the high school ELA specialist at Canyon School District and the state of Utah ambassador for the News Literacy Project, joins us to share her expertise on the crucial topic of news literacy. Listen in as Leslie shines a light on th...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to master the ins and outs of your child's transition to kindergarten? Brace yourself for a tour-de-force of insights and guidance on kindergarten readiness, filled with tried-and-true advice from Instructional Supports Administrator Kena Sorensen and teacher specialist Leanne Fisher. We tackle the labyrinth of choosing the right school, registering for classes,...

Send us Fan Mail History was made at the Jan. 3, 2023 Oath of Office Ceremony for the newly elected members of the Canyons Board of Education. Andrew Edtl, the new representative for District No. 4, is the first African American to win election to the Canyons Board of Education, and Karen Pedersen, elected to represent District No. 5, is the first retired Canyons District teacher to join Canyons’...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes heroes who keep our school systems running smoothly? Join me as I chat with Everett Perry, the Human Resources Administrator for the Canyon School District, who shines the spotlight on the vital role of Education Support Professionals (ESPs). With over 4,400 ESPs in the district, these unsung heroes, ranging from sweepers to instructional...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to navigate the scholarship jungle with confidence? Join us as we sit down with Lisa Peterson, a scholarship maestro from Jordan High. Lisa's rich experience as a first-generation college student has empowered her to guide countless others through the often intimidating process of finding and obtaining scholarships. She breaks down how to craft a compelling portfolio, c...