This week we are taking time to thank teachers in the District for all they do in the lives of every child, every day.  With that in mind, we went to some schools to ask people to share their thoughts on teachers; about those who will never be forgotten, and the impact they’ve had on lives. Take a look. ★

Just try to catch Joel P. Jensen Middle teacher Natalie Nielsen wearing a frown on her face, it simply doesn’t happen. Nielson says she approaches each day and every class with a positive attitude and a smile that lights up a room. In fact Natalie says she was raised in a home that became known as the “Smiley Family.” But her smile is just part of what makes this educator stand out.  Ms. Nielson has a love for dance that she incorporates into the language arts and ESL classes she teaches. Nielson has also taken ballroom dance to new heights of popularity at Joel P. Jensen.  Her attitude is contagious and it shows in and outside of her classroom. Thanks Natalie for being so positive and the kind of teacher we appreciate each and every day. ★

Anyone who visits Abe Yospe’s first-grade classroom at Westland Elementary will likely walk away with a smile. That’s because Mr. Yospe mixes math, science and everything else he teaches with a bit of entertainment. On any given day his ALP’s students are treated to an appearance from characters like ‘Yoda’ from Star Wars. At Thanksgiving, ‘Thankful Thane’ stopped by to teach the kids and in October ‘Halloween Dude’ did the honors of leading the classroom. Mr. Yospe is the man behind all the characters. He comes up with the costumes and a clever voice to match. Suddenly students cling to every word  he says. Yospe’s creativity has taken off throughout the school. He now produces one of the most popular and entertaining Christmas programs around. See for yourself here. Thanks Mr. Yospe, we appreciate the passion you have for making learning fun every day. ★

Walk in the door of Diane Bringhurst’s first grade class and you will witness something special. Mrs. Bringhurst is the Chinese Immersion teacher at Eastlake Elementary. No one is allowed to speak English in her classroom, but everyone is allowed to have fun. Bringhurst has a unique approach to teaching the Chinese language. She does it through song, dance, pictures and body language. Diane taught in Taiwan before moving to Utah where she fell in love with the Chinese Immersion program at Eastlake. Bringhurst says when she sees her young students improve and begin speaking Chinese in and outside the classroom, it’s the most fulfilling and exciting feeling in the world. Thanks Diane for being one of the many teachers we appreciate each and every day. ★