Herriman area schools have an abundance of extraordinary educators. Here are some who have received special recognition this year.

Bastian Elementary School counselor Alisha Martinez, 2025 JSD Jordy Award for Outstanding School Counselors

Copper Mountain Middle School health teacher Samantha Jenkins, SHAPE’s Health Education Teacher of the Year

Copper Mountain Middle School band teacher Keith Davis, Outstanding Junior High/Middle School Music Educator of the Year

Copper Mountain Middle School math teacher Jess Bryant, Mountain Valley Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year

Herriman High School business and marketing teacher Randy Kammerman, 2024-25 Utah Jazz Most Valuable Educator and Utah DECA’s Jim Powell Adviser of the Year

Herriman High School ASL teacher Tawny Bowman, Mountain West Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year

Itineris Early College High School, Robert Machol, Innovative Teacher Award from the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology

Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School social studies teacher Krista Gibbons, Innovative Teacher Award from the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology

Mountain Heights Academy, Crystal Van Ausdal, Innovative Teacher Award from the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology

Mountain Ridge High School choir director Kelly DeHaan, Jordan School District 2025 Teacher of the Year

Mountain Ridge High FACS teacher Corie Johnson, Family and Consumer Science New Teacher of the Year

Silvercrest Elementary, Carol Ramsay, Mountain West Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year 

South Valley School, Chelsea Lopez, 2025 Utah Council for Exceptional Children Outstanding Paraeducator Award

Spectrum Academy, Andrew Delcamp, UCET Innovative Teacher of the Year

Jordan Education Foundation chose one Outstanding Educator of the Year from each of the 68 schools in Jordan District. Herriman area school winners are listed below. (* indicates top winners)

Bastian Elementary School, Kristen Wahlin

Blackridge Elementary School, Diana Rose

Copper Mountain Middle School, Christopher Bergum

Fort Herriman Middle School, Kimberly Mendenhall

Herriman Elementary School, Jennifer Jameson

Jordan Academy for Technology & Careers, Lisa Wadzeck

Juniper Elementary School, Mackenzie Brown

Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School, Kymberly “Kym” Harrison

Kings Peak Virtual High School, Sharman Holloway

Ridge View Elementary School, Emanuel “Manny” Colon*

Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School, Emily Baugh

Silver Crest Elementary School, Launi Drecksel*

South Valley School, Emily LaRue*

Launi Drecksel, Silver Crest Elementary School “Launi is a master teacher! I am blown away by her ability to connect with and reach each learner. Every student feels seen and cared about. She gives clear instruction and expectations, and students rise to the challenges given. Her classroom is a safe and nurturing space where students feel valued and motivated.”- a colleague

Emanuel “Manny” Colon, Ridge View Elementary School “It is rare to walk by his office without seeing Mr. Colon using fun and play to teach and practice social skills, emotional regulation and self- control to a group of students. Around the school Manny is affectionately known as “Mr. Dinosaur.” - assistant principal Beth Pollock

Kelly DeHaan, Jordan School District 2025 Teacher of the Year “Kelly DeHaan has a brilliant mind and focuses on each of his students. He loves his job and the music he puts in front of the students. He works with each individual and cares so dearly about what’s happening in our personal and academic lives. DeHaan really makes each of his students special in different ways. He notices little things as well as big things. He is a very dedicated man and I adore that about him. He really does love each of his students and their efforts.”- a student λ