There were no surprises with the announcement of this year’s Uintah School District Teacher of the Year. As the AP and Honors 10 English Teacher at Uintah High School, Aaron Birchell is known for her energy and passion for education. A sign in her classroom asks, “Does your Grit have Gratitude?” Birchell brings that philosophy into her classroom along with pushing her students to grow. “We need grit to accomplish the rigor of life and literature,” shares Birchell. “I want to give my students the dignity of rigor. I ask more than what they think they can do, but I only ask what I know they can do. A consistent theme in my classroom is avoid the bare minimum but don’t demand impossible perfection.” Having gratitude also holds a special role in Birchell’s teaching philosophy. Having students write five things they are grateful for at the start of class has been a game changer, shares Birchell. “This practice of gratitude has changed my classroom more than anything I have tried. I will always have this expectation because the results are powerful.” Thanks and congratulations to Aaron Birchell, Uintah School District’s Teacher of the Year.
