Teacher Spotlight

Don Crandall  

Don Crandall is a 6th Grade Science teacher at Ecker Hill Middle School. In one way or another, Don has been a teacher all his life.

He started out as a ski instructor - school was not really his thing! Then he became a guide with at risk teens in southern Utah, and really found a calling. He loved the hands on learning and working with the kids in that environment. And, he continued to teach skiing at PCMR.

When he met his wife Kelly (a 5th grade teacher at PPES) he was inspired by the fact that she was getting her Master's. He decided to go back to school to become a teacher. He received his undergrad in Earth Science Composite Teaching, taught in Murray for one year, and then got the job at Ecker Hill. He has been there for 5 years.

Don's favorite thing about teaching? "I love the hands on stuff. I was also an electrician for several years, so I love to make things. I find that most kids like to be hands on, too. Right now we're designing heat shields in class. The kids are learning the core curriculum about electricity by actually building things that demonstrate those principals. I love it when my kids are asking between periods if their design is holding up, or asking about what the other classes came up with. I know when parents come tell me what their kids are doing in class - I know the kids are talking about it at home!"

Don loves playing with his two kids, 6 yr-old Owen and 4 yr-old Izzy. "They're skiing like crazy, and it's so fun." And, he still teaches skiing at PCMR!

Andy Tullis 

Andy knew for a long time he wanted to be a teacher. His mom was an educator, and really enjoyed the camaraderie of the teaching community. He was a camp counselor in high school, working with 5th grade students, and loved it. He majored in Elementary Education at the U, and ski bummed one winter after graduating. He decided he needed some time on his own, so moved to Alaska, and got a job teaching there for seven years.

Deciding he wanted to be closer to home, he put in his application to the district. He was hired by then McPolin principal Bob Edmiston over the phone! "I love working with the staff here, and I like sharing the same schedule as my wife (2nd grade teacher Jana Tullis.)" He has been a 5th grade teacher there for five years.

What does Andy love about teaching? "I love the unexpectedness of each day. It's great when the kids are working as hard as they can, when they take ownership of learning and collaborate and motivate each other. I love seeing the excitement when they 'get it.' I really enjoy developing a trusting relationship within my class, and being able to make a mistake in front of each other. It really is their voice that's important, and it should be their classroom."

Andy has a 3 year-old, and one on the way! He enjoys camping, back-country skiing, the mountains and the desert, and taking his daughter skiing.