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Teachers of the Month – January
We would like to recognize and congratulate our PHS Employees of the Month for January 2018 – Dr. Lillian Shaw & Ms. Melanie Nelson.
Dr. Lillian Shaw: (French Teacher)
Dr. Lillian Shaw grew up in Switzerland. As she chose a state to come to in the United States she looked for a place there would be a large population of students. She chose to come to Provo High because of its diversity and potential for unity. She has been here at PHS for 14 years. Before that she worked for 3 years at Mountain View High School, 9 years at a private accredited school “A University for Children: K-12”, and before that at the University Prep School in Switzerland. Lillian loves the beautiful diversity of PHS & the rich cultural atmosphere that comes from it. When she isn’t at work she enjoys writing poetry and silk painting.
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about Lillian:
Dr. Lillian Shaw is always there for the students. I see her working with students during her lunch time as well as after school.
She is professional teacher whom I love working with and learning from.
Dr. Shaw holds high expectations for her students while caring about and working with each student’s individual needs to help them achieve high levels of success. She has also done great work overseeing the Rising Stars Club.
Lillian is incredibly competent and phenomenal at everything she does. She is very supportive of all faculty and staff.
She is always professional. I’ve seen her bend over backwards to help students succeed even if that means giving up her lunch time.
Melanie Nelson: (Math Teacher)
Melanie Nelson grew up in the beautiful state of Wyoming. She came to Provo High when she was job hunting and got a position here. She has been at PHS for 6 years now. Before that she taught one year at Snowcrest Jr. High in Ogden Valley. Melanie really loves the community here – especially her students and coworkers. It doesn’t feel like work to her because she just gets to go to school every day and show people how awesome math is. She considers PHS to be her second home. When Melanie isn’t at work she enjoys hiking and traveling.
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about Melanie:
Melanie gives her students her best. She is very good at explaining concepts. Students come out of her class capable and knowing and understanding the math! Not only does she teach them well, but she connects with them. Students always feel welcome to stop in for help or even some advice or encouragement.
Melanie is an amazing teacher. She is the Math Guru in our department. The students respect her.
Melanie is always willing to help where needed. She volunteers to help at many extracurricular activities so she can support her students in their interests outside of the classroom.
Melanie is the best!! She provides consistent quality entertainment, stories and laughs as well as being an EXPERT at Math 3. She is funny, fun to be around and a helpful member of the team
Though Ms. Nelson turned out to be lim x – > 0 sin(x)/x in dancing, you will find that her impact on students is unbounded. She has been an integral part of our AP Calculus program and due to her efforts, we have seen improvement in student understanding and performance on AP exams. I am truly grateful to have her in our department and to be her friend.
Thank you Lillian and Melanie for your contribution to PHS! We are lucky to have you here!!
Teachers of the Month – November
David Ellison: (Social Studies Teacher)
David Ellison grew up in Florida and Utah. He loved the PHS ballroom competitions and respected the team at nationals, so when he saw PHS was accepting job applications, he applied and got the job here. Before coming to PHS, David worked at Lakeridge Junior High and BYU. David thinks the PHS staff is great and supportive of trying new things. He is also grateful for the opportunity he has been given to help out with the ballroom team and says assisting at some of their rehearsals has been the highlight of many weeks!
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about David:
- David is a great, professional, teacher. He has, in his first year, demonstrated some great teaching with stories and been involved in the school. He’s a great young teacher!
- David has been fun to work with so far in his short tenure here. He seems to really like the students and like his job, has a lot of enthusiasm and we have collaborated a lot and he is both a good contributor and a good listener.
- I have been able to work alongside David for this year so far. He is an excellent teacher. He puts a great deal of effort and attention into his lesson plans. He loves to teach and he loves the kids that he gets to teach. He is a great asset to our school community and our students are lucky to have him as a teacher.
- David is a great addition to our department. He brings a fresh set of ideas and shares them freely. He is a great team player and genuinely cares about the students and creates lessons that really get them thinking.
McKindra Camp : (Special Education Teacher)
McKindra Camp grew up on a lake in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. She ended up here in Provo when she married a local and is now stuck here for life. This is her first year teaching, so PHS is her first home. She loves the kids here at PHS, because they are all so unique and make every day great! When she isn’t at work, she loves to travel. She enjoys hiking and checking out what Utah has to offer. She also loves to bake.
Here are a few things colleagues had to say about McKindra:
- I feel that Mckindra has a skill that is hard to match for a new teacher. She does a great job disciplining her students and they still have love and respect for her.
- McKindra is amazingly upbeat, even after spending all day in one of the district’s most difficult teaching settings. She works hard to plan lessons of interest and value to her class, works well with her students and pushes them to see the positive in themselves. McKindra is teachable, is constantly learning, and been a tremendous asset to the special education department.
- McKindra is a rockstar, and I am so glad she is part of our SPED team! I am always impressed by her determination and refusal to let the negative aspects of our job keep her down. She is a fierce advocate for her students and does everything in her power to help them succeed.
- McKindra Camp has been doing an amazing job working with her students. She has a positive attitude, and makes an effort to get to know her students. She is invested in them, and I know that she does all she can to help them succeed. Mrs. Camp makes a valuable contribution to Provo High and especially the Special Education Team.
Thank you, David and McKindra for your contribution to PHS! We are lucky to have you here!!
Provo High Flag Election
Pie in the Face!
PHS Choir has been raising money for their trip to Orange County, and they exceeded their goal of selling 500 pies. As reward, the choir council volunteered themselves to be pied in the face along with Mr. Wiser and his student teacher. PHS admin also represented, with Mr. McAffee & Mr. Garrison getting their fare share of pie as well!