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Save the Date
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Running with Ed
May 17, 2014
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Teacher Grants Awarded!
 Just before the break, PCEF awarded $48,000 for 28 Teacher Grants! Once again, the teachers of the Park City School District impressed and amazed our grant committee with their creative and innovative ideas to advance student achievement in their classrooms.
Notes Teacher Grant committee co-chair Lynn Cier, "Teacher Grants are so exciting because they could be a look into the future. Successful teacher grants can become district-wide initiatives."
PCHS teacher and instructional coach Jenn King says, "It's the best Christmas present! Our teachers so often put forth their own money to be better teachers and enhance their classroom instruction. PCEF's support really helps!"
PCEF would like to thank Deer Valley Resort for their support of the Teacher Grant program, as well as our donors and volunteers. For a full listing of this year's teacher grants, please go to the Teacher Grant page on our website.
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RWE Early Registration Saves $25!
Save the date and save $25 bucks! RWE is May 17th, and early registration is open now. Register your team before February 1, and save $25 off the 5-person team registration price! You know you want to join the race that's a 'Celebration for Education' so don't wait.
NEW this year, 6-person, 7-person, and even bigger teams are available. Now the entire family can join in! Be a part of the race that everyone talks about, voted 'Park City's Best.' Check out runningwithed.com for full details, and be sure to like the RWE Facebook page for fun photos and updates.
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Teacher Spotlight Lori Drivdahl
Lori Drivdahl has been an elementary school teacher for 23 years, and is in her 8th year teaching at Parley's Park. She didn't know she wanted to be a teacher until more than halfway through college at Montana State University. "Math was my first love, and I thought I wanted to be an accountant. But after three years, I knew that wasn't for me. And I kept going to the education offerings in the course catalog. I finally decided to follow my heart for once, instead of my head, and got my degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education." Lori taught first in Reno, then in Napa, following her husband's career. After they had children, they realized they wanted to get back to the mountains. "My husband got a job in Salt Lake, and I interviewed with Pat Flynn at Parley's. He called and offered me the job that night!" "I love the small community feeling here, positive parental involvement, and lots of opportunities for kids, both educationally and through extra-curricular activities. My son Christian loves ski jumping, and my daughter Annika is becoming a ski racer." Lori says the best thing about teaching in Park City, "are the relationships I have with my fellow teachers, and the fact that I have my kids so close. My daughter is in my class!" And her favorite part of teaching? "It's getting to know each child as an individual. By November I love them as my own. I love our journey together; every year it's different and awesome!" Lori has her Master's in Reading, as well as a Technology Endorsement and ESL Endorsement. She and her family love doing as much as possible together, outdoors.
 Mark Elliot
If you talk to PCHS Art Teacher Mark Elliot about his journey becoming a teacher and ending up at Park City, you'll soon learn he firmly believes that there are, "Forces at work. I didn't plan on becoming a teacher. I went to art school at The Academy of Art in San Francisco, an accredited university. I wanted to be an 'artist.' But a teacher at the school mentored me, and when I graduated, suggested I talk to the Dean about a teaching job. I ended up getting the job! And I really enjoyed it."
After teaching there six years and having two children, Mark and his wife knew they needed to move out of the city. He sent out more than 200 resumes. "Those forces were at work again, because Sue Galusha (the previous PCHS art teacher) held onto my resume for a year. And then called me. I didn't hear from any other school. My wife and I are both originally from Utah, so even though we loved San Francisco, we thought it might be good to come back. So, I interviewed, and got the job!"
Mark is now in his 2nd year here, and settling into his role as a high school teacher. "Unlike college, kids don't necessarily want to be here. So I had to adjust my teaching to that. But I absolutely love this age. Their abilities, both mentally and physically, are amazing. They are fun and interesting and doing cool stuff. They have other classes that might be more 'important,' but during this time we are all about art. I get super excited watching their progression."
"The best thing about teaching is watching the student who was unsure and quiet, become confident and curious. When they come and ask me for help, not because they are trying to do it 'right' but because they want to do it for themselves."
Mark lives in Heber with his family. He loves to skateboard and draw whenever he can.
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 Sweetheart Gala Tickets Going Fast
The 10th Annual Sweetheart Gala big band dinner dance fundraiser for PC Bands will be held on Valentine's Day, February 14, cosponsored by PCEF and the PCHS Music Department. See the new PC Bands website, www.pcbands.net for all the details, including a link for ticket purchases. Both premium and regular seats are still available.
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