Ember Storrs Magna, UT | 7-12, Mathematics, 2002

Ember Eskelson Storrs has taught mathematics to 9-12th grade students for almost three decades. This opportunity has enabled her to accelerate student learning, focus on proactive instruction, and embrace the diversity of children and their learning potential. Ember spent the first 27 years of her career teaching at her alma mater, Cyprus High School. She was fortunate to have those years of service in her childhood community. It facilitated the opportunity to teach five siblings, every child she ever babysat, and eventually the children of her former students. Ember’s talents have been recognized by the nation, state, and district with awards and requests to write curriculum and assess instructional practices. The Presidential Award highlights her success with teaching mathematics and is coupled with having won Utah’s K-12 Teacher of the Year, recognizing her power with both instruction and management. Ember is a proven leader in curriculum design, assessment, growth rates, and professional learning. Evidenced by 90% of students scoring proficient on the Utah Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence (SAGE) exam, a median growth percentile of 93, and one of the largest Advanced Placement statistics programs in the district. Nothing is more emotionally demanding and rewarding than helping individual children find their voice. She continually reminds those she encounters to ask themselves, “Am I doing something a certain way because it is easier or because it is best for education?”

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