Before we announce our 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award winners (stay tuned!), we have one more incredible 2025 honoree to celebrate: Megan Weinberger from Wasatch Elementary! Here are a few of her nominations:

-Her classroom is a welcoming environment where every student feels valued and empowered to express themselves. Through her engaging lessons and supportive demeanor, she not only inspires her students to excel academically but also emotionally.
-Megan is the Newcomer teacher here at Wasatch and is ALWAYS going the extra mile to bridge academic, social, emotional, and behavioral learning with students who arrive at school speaking zero English. She is consistently successful in her efforts!
-Not only does she teach English to the Newcomer students, but also civics and ethics. She gives them tools to deal with emotions & feelings. Her teaching methods are innovative, fun, and effective.
-Megan is constantly reflecting and applying best practices to help her students grow and learn. She willingly shares her expertise with her colleagues. Good is never good enough because Megan always goes above and beyond to help students succeed.
5 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Megan Weinberger
Congratulations to Wasatch Peaks Credit Union for receiving the Sue Westenskow Award at last night’s Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce Gala. The award was presented by Ogden School Foundation Executive Director Brynn Murdock and Weber School Foundation Executive Director Emily Oyler. Named in memory of Sue Westenskow—a Weber County civic leader and educator who passed away in 1998—the award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a lasting impact on education in Weber County. Recipients are selected jointly by both local school districts and are honored for supporting students across district lines.

Wasatch Peaks has been a dedicated, long-time supporter of our schools, and this past year stepped up in a big way by providing funding for the food pantries located in our Student Support Centers. This support helps sustain ongoing pantry needs, ensuring we can continue meeting some of the most essential needs of our students and families while removing barriers to success in the classroom

As a powerful example of their commitment, members of the Wasatch Peaks team visited each of our Support Centers this morning, delivering Snack Packs to help ensure our pantries are well-stocked ahead of Spring Break, when access will be limited. This donation is so appreciated and will make a real difference for our students. We are so grateful to Wasatch Peaks for their continued commitment to education and to the children in our community.
6 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Wasatch Peaks at Chamber Gala
Brynn Murdock and Emily Oyler
Wasatch Peaks delivering snacks
Wasatch Peaks at Odyssey Elementary
Wasatch Peaks at OTECH High
Wasatch Peaks at OHS
Did you know our Classroom Grants program gives every Ogden School District teacher access to up to $1,200 for their classroom? Now that’s a story worth reading 📚 Learn more here: www.ogdenschoolfoundation.org/grants

And speaking of great stories, we’ve got a Classroom Grants highlight for you today from Lincoln Elementary! “My budding detectives need a good mystery!” After seeing how excited her students were while reading Sherlock Holmes stories, Ms. B knew she had found a way to spark an interest in reading. Wanting to give her young sleuths a new case to solve, she used Classroom Grants Program funding to purchase the Skeleton Creek mystery series. These unique and engaging books not only strengthen reading comprehension and research skills, but also include an interactive online component where students follow digital clues that connect directly to the story. Soon, these aspiring investigators were filling notebooks with their theories as they searched for evidence both in the pages and the accompanying online videos. The verdict? Reading is fun. Case closed!
8 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
student reading book
students reading at their desks
thank you letter
Skeleton Creek book
Skeleton Creek book and notebook

Once upon a time… Earlier this month, 849 Ogden School District students from 1st through 9th grades attended the Weber State University Storytelling Festival, thanks to funding from the Ogden School Foundation! Now in its 30th year, the festival brings together nationally recognized storytellers, local voices, and student performers to celebrate literacy, culture, the arts—and, of course, the power of a good story! We’re proud of the Ogden School District students who participated and grateful to our district librarians for making this experience possible. And they all lived happily ever after!

9 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Storytelling Festival Stats
Let’s hear it for our teachers! 👏 Drop a ❤️ or shout out a teacher who made a difference for you!

We’ve got just a few more 2025 winners of the Telitha Lindquist Greiner Excellence in Teaching Awards to spotlight before we announce our 2026 winners (we can’t wait!). Up today: Kristina Wilcox from East Ridge Elementary, one of our 2025 award winners. Here are a few highlights from her nominations:

-Kristina has a positive and friendly attitude that makes her classroom an inviting space to be! She is always prepared for her lessons and her students are engaged in the activities. Kristina participates in a student-focused mindset during CTMs.
-Kristina is a model of patience and exemplary best practices. Even as a seasoned teacher, I have learned from her example in engagement strategies and discourse.
-Kristina works endless hours to make sure her students are successful. She is a master of building relationships with her students, families, and coworkers. Kristina is a valuable asset to our team, school, and community.
-The most kindhearted teacher and person. My daughter loves her.
She really wants to help her kids learn.
-My daughter loves going to school with Mrs. Wilcox. She says school is fun.
12 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Kristina Wilcox
Support our teachers by helping fund their classroom projects! Visit ogdenschoolfoundation.org/grants to learn how you can get involved. Amazing things are happening in our classrooms—like today’s highlight story from Ms. Gates in the Bridges Program. ✨

Ms. Gates is always looking for meaningful ways to help her special education students build social skills and learn self-regulation strategies. Thanks to funding from the Foundation’s Classroom Grants Program, she now has new tools to support that work! With the addition of specialized picture books, students are learning abstract concepts—such as reading facial expressions and body language to identify emotions—through engaging stories and illustrations that reinforce learning. Because many students in the program have autism and struggle with social and emotional cues, these books provide important language to help them identify, express, and manage their emotions. Having relatable storybooks to reference during social skills lessons has helped make these abstract ideas more concrete and accessible for all students.

"These books and planning materials have been so AWESOME for my students!! They love when we read the books out loud and use silly voices," said Ms. Gates. "These materials have opened so many new opportunities for teaching and discussing regulation skills. The books teach real life ways to work on being calm, respectful, confident, and so much more. The visuals for different breathing techniques are so great to use to teach these skills, and we hang them up as reminders of what to do when we have big feelings. The lessons that we're able to teach go beyond what's on the pages and we couldn't have done it without the support from our gracious donors!!"
15 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
social skills books
social skills books
social skills books
social skills books

Don’t forget to nominate an Ogden teacher for the 2026 Telitha Lindquist Greiner Excellence in Teaching Award! 🍎
Submit your nomination here ➡️ www.ogdenschoolfoundation.org/nominate

We still have a few incredible 2025 recipients left to highlight, including today’s teacher spotlight: Tina Olter from Heritage Elementary! Here are a few words from Ms. Olter’s nominations:

-Tina is amazing with the little scholars in our school. She not only brings high achievement in their academics but also is great at teaching social skills. She makes connections not only with the students but also their families. Glad we have her!
-She is a dedicated member of SLT, actively participates in everything, and helps everyone in need. Her students cling to her, feeling safe and loved—even years after being in her class. She builds strong, lasting bonds with all of them.
-I love the relationship she has with her kids! They love her and I can tell that she shows them this love every day!
-Tina is the happiest teacher at the school. She is always in a great mood and that is reflected in her students. She shows them so much love and they love to learn because of her.
-Tina Olter not only is an amazing teacher to her tiny humans but also to students that need help from other grades. Tina helps her students and other students in the building to grow academically by offering them help in areas that they are lacking.
-She helped my daughter (who has a learning disorder) graduate and go to first grade after having to repeat kindergarten. She was super patient and understanding with her and NEVER gave up on her. I wish she could teach her forever!

21 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Tina Olter
It’s always fun to learn something new, and over the past few weeks, students at several Ogden School District elementary schools got the chance to try their hand at a new sport: CURLING! 🥌

With Ogden hosting the World Curling Championship later this month, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and the Ogden Curling Club brought the ice to our 5th and 6th grade students, giving them a fun introduction to the sport before letting them jump in and play a few short games of their own. The experience was a sweeping success! 🧹🥌 Who knew we had so many future curlers in our classrooms?

Thanks to our community partners for helping students slide into something new and for bringing some world-class excitement right into our schools!
22 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
curling demonstrations
students trying curling
students trying curling
students trying curling
students trying curling
Did you know the Ogden School Foundation provides up to $1,200 in classroom funding for every Ogden School District teacher? Through our Classroom Grants Program, teachers can bring new ideas, resources, and experiences directly to their students. Learn more at www.ogdensd.org/grants

Amazing things are happening in our classrooms because of this program—like this recently funded grant at Liberty Elementary! ✨

MOTION, MAGNETS, AND MOLECULES (OH, MY!) 🧲 Providing her sixth-grade students with interactive, hands-on science experiences is a priority for Ms. Lunt. Thanks to funding from the Classroom Grants Program, her students are now thinking, designing, and discovering like real scientists! With the addition of reusable learning tools such as LEGO Gear Bots, Dowling Science Magnets, and Molymod Molecular Model Sets, students are able to explore energy, motion, forces, and molecular structures in creative and collaborative ways that spark curiosity, discussion, and deeper learning. These materials will remain a permanent part of the sixth-grade science classroom, ensuring students will benefit from engaging STEM experiences for years to come.

“Thank you so much for your donations for the supplies for my classroom. It may not seem like a big deal, but it truly is,” said Ms. Lunt. “My students are very much engaged with the activities because they are hands-on, and they often do not want to stop working because they want to try something else. This is so exciting as a teacher because I know they are learning new things at a deeper level. If you ever wonder, did my donations make a difference, the answer is YES!”
26 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
students working with new science supplies
students working with new science supplies
students working with new science supplies
students working with new science supplies
students working with new science supplies
students working with new science supplies
Nominate an outstanding Ogden teacher today for the 2026 Telitha Lindquist Excellence in Teaching Award! 🍎 Submit your nomination now and help us celebrate the educators who make a difference every single day.
Submit nominations here ➡️ www.ogdenschoolfoundation.org/nominate

And speaking of excellence, we’re excited to highlight another 2025 award winner: Nicole Doolan from Lincoln Elementary! A few of her nominations include:

-Nikki is an incredible coworker who consistently leaves a positive impact on both her students and colleagues. Her students absolutely adore her, often sharing the memorable and inspiring experiences they’ve had in her class.
-She gives students positive compliments about their performance and I have seen this reinforcement affect their self-esteem greatly. They have a sense of pride in their reading abilities and are excited to pursue more reading.
-Nikki Doolan creates a supportive space where students thrive. With enthusiasm and innovation, she makes learning engaging, integrates best practices, and goes beyond expectations to ensure success in and out of the classroom.
-Nikki is a kind and generous teacher. She welcomes her students to class everyday and they feel her love. She is always asking questions about how to improve her teaching. Nikki is data driven in her teaching.
-She is such a hard worker and keeps her positive attitude towards kids and teachers.
-She has fostered not only personal growth, but resilience, strong academic skills, and confidence in her students.
28 days ago, Ogden School Foundation
Nikki Doolan

Share some love for the incredible educators in Ogden! Drop a comment with your congratulations or share this post to show your support for our amazing teachers!

Today's teacher highlight: Chris Davidson from Ogden High School, winner of the Telitha Lindquist Greiner Excellence in Teaching Award for the 24-25 school year! A few of Mr. Davidson's nomination include:

-Chris is one of the best teachers I know. I can walk into his class at any time and see kids actively working on something. He knows what each kid is working on and what step they are on because he is constantly walking around and supporting them.
-Chris inspires so many students to look at careers in architecture and design. He is always striving to be better and expose students to more. We are grateful he chooses to be a Tiger.
-Chris is passionate about his subject and helping students succeed. His classes use a project based approach. He teaches all his courses to standards required of the WSU courses, and a majority of his students receive CE credit.
-Chris is deeply passionate about the content he teaches and strives to instill that same enthusiasm in his students. He recognizes that learning should be more than just memorization—it should be an experience that sparks curiosity and excitement.
-Chris is an incredibly dedicated teacher who prioritizes his students. He’s built an amazing program, fosters positive relationships, organizes internships, and gives back to his students without seeking recognition.

about 1 month ago, Ogden School Foundation
Chris Davidson
Another successful College Bound Event in the books! Last week, we descended on the beautiful Weber State University campus with hundreds of fifth graders from across the Ogden School District to get a firsthand look at college life. Visiting campus facilities, learning about different college majors, engaging in hands-on learning experiences, participating in a Q & A session with WSU students, interacting with student-athletes and WSU Student Ambassadors, attending a pep rally with the national champion Weber State University Spirit Squad, hanging out with Waldo the Wildcat, and cheering on the Weber State Men's Basketball team at a home game (with T-shirts, personalized lanyards, and a foam Wildcat claw for each student!)--it was quite a day! This event is always fun, but more importantly, helps our students realize that higher education is accessible and achievable. Even though our students live in Ogden, many have never visited Weber State or imagined themselves attending college. Experiences like this help expand those possibilities. We are grateful for our partnership with Weber State University, Weber State Athletics, and the Get Into Weber Office of Admissions which allows us to provide this opportunity each year. Thanks to our sponsors America First Credit Union, Lifetouch, Interform, and the Watkins Charitable Foundation for helping to make it possible. It is safe to say these fifth graders are already bleeding purple!
about 1 month ago, Ogden School Foundation
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
College Bound
It’s College Bound Event week, and the excitement is real! We kicked things off today as members of the Weber State Men's Basketball team visited classrooms across the Ogden School District. The players spoke with students about the importance of working hard in school and the opportunities available through higher education (and even signed a few autographs!). Tomorrow, 5th graders from across the district will take over Weber State University for a firsthand taste of college life and to cheer on their favorite players at the game. We can’t wait!
about 1 month ago, Ogden School Foundation
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU athlete with student
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
WSU Players visiting schools
Creating a Classroom Community at New Bridge! Fourth-grade teacher Ms. McLaughlin had one clear goal when setting up her classroom for the year: to create a space that would make students excited to come to school every day. Thanks to funding from our Classroom Grants Program, she's been able to do just that! With the addition of soft cushions, bean bag chairs, and new organizational tools, the classroom now has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, while new PBIS rewards—such as puzzles, enamel pins, seed packs, and mini plush animals—serve as incentives to motivate students and celebrate their hard work and positive choices. Expanded art supplies and recess equipment has further developed this thriving classroom community, but perhaps the biggest hit is the Fujifilm Instax camera! Students use it to capture special moments throughout the day, and then proudly display the printed photos on the walls: big smiles, small triumphs, and candid moments of friendship. The result has been a classroom community where students feel valued, supported, and eager to participate in learning.

"When my students first walked into our newly refreshed classroom, they could hardly contain their excitement," shared Ms. McLaughlin. "The soft cushions and cozy bean bag chairs immediately set a welcoming tone, and students quickly found their favorite reading spots. The Fujifilm Instax camera has become a highlight of our days — we capture moments of teamwork, perseverance, and friendship, then proudly display the photos on our classroom wall. Each new photo reminds us that we're building something special together: a community that values kindness, effort, and belonging. These new materials have helped transform our daily routines into opportunities for connection and joy. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now feels like a true home for learning. Your support made this transformation possible, and we're so grateful for the joy and pride you've helped bring to our classroom."
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
students reading books in flexible seating
students reading books in flexible seating
students at white board working on math equations
It’s time! Tickets for our 30th Annual Fall Author Event on October 1 featuring Ann Patchett are officially on sale. This event sells out every year, so grab your tickets early. Trust us, you will not want to miss this one!

Learn more and get your tickets: ogdenschoolfoundation.org/fallauthor
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
Ann Patchett
Today's teacher spotlight is Amanda Mutz from Odyssey Elementary, winner of the Telitha Lindquist Greiner Excellence in Teaching Award for the 24-25 school year! Here are a few of her nominations:

-Amanda consistently embodies what it is like to be an outstanding teacher and colleague every day. She brings a positive attitude and puts her best foot forward when it comes to helping her students succeed academically and emotionally.
-She recently got a new-comer who speaks a language that is not common. She goes above and beyond for this student to make them feel safe and welcomed.
-She is an enthusiastic, well-prepared teacher who goes above and beyond with her students both in lessons and behavior management. She has high expectations for her students, but they achieve these expectations due to her own example and love.
-Ms. Mutz goes above and beyond making sure that her students are well inside and outside the classroom. Ms. Mutz constantly checks on her students' families.
-Amanda goes above and beyond in making her classroom a place of learning. All of her students know that she cares about them and wants them to be successful.
-Ms. Mutz always went out of her way to help my daughter in everything she needed. Her ability to teach to and comprehend each student's individual learning style while being patient with them is amazing.
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
Amanda Mutz
Go, Ogden Raptors! Earlier this week, team owner Dave Baggott and mascot Oggie visited students at Shadow Valley Elementary with some exciting news: they’re inviting students to help design a brand-new Ogden Raptors baseball hat! Students in grades 1–3 are encouraged to submit their artwork during the month of February, and the winning designs will be added to baseball hats worn by Raptors players at select games and sold as official fan merchandise. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from these special caps will be donated to the Ogden School Foundation to support all Ogden School District students and educators. Talk about a home run! Check with art teacher Ms. Holmes for instructions and start designing!
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
Raptors mascot and team owner with elementary students
Raptors mascot and team owner in elementary classroom
Another great teacher highlight today! Congratulations to David "Pops" Buettner from Malan's Peak High, winner of the Telitha Lindquist Greiner Excellence in Teaching Award for the 24-25 school year! Highlights from his nominations include:

-Pops is our foundation for Malan’s Peak (Weber Valley). He is our organizer. In the classroom, he is getting our students to apply math daily. He teaches them through different activities and gets them to think about it rather than guess.
-Outstanding teacher! He can work with all types of students and is a team player. Always willing to help where needed.
-Dedication, expertise and teamwork. Dave not only teaches with great ability but with a great deal of humanity. He cares about his students and that comes across in all he does. He goes above and beyond to keep things running smoothly.
-He is a hard worker, and is dedicated to his job. He keeps things organized and is a good example to his peers and his students.
-He goes above and beyond his role as a teacher and is the first to extend a helping hand without asking. He loves teaching the kids and they enjoy learning math from him. He makes learning fun.
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
David "Pops" Buettner
BIODIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM AT MOUNT OGDEN! Students in Ms. Harris’s AP Environmental Science class at Mount Ogden Junior High are learning about biodiversity and its role in ecosystems through hands-on experiences made possible by our Classroom Grants Program! With new lab supplies purchased through grant funding, students are engaging in real-world data collection and conducting experiments that explore how plants provide energy within an ecosystem, as well as how human activity can impact ecosystem health and biodiversity. These interactive experiences have had a powerful impact on students’ understanding of complex environmental concepts.

"Thank you for your support of my classroom," said Ms. Harris. "These labs really helped students see the impact. When we added fertilizers to our terrariums we saw a decline in the health of the ecosystem. Watching this occur in real life was far more effective at helping students understand the negative impacts of human impact than just reading about it. Thank you for your generous donation that provided this valuable experience for my students."
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
students working at lab tables
science lab supplies
science experiment supplies
The Cast a Spell on Hunger event on Saturday was pure magic, thanks to our friends at Young Mazda and the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation! From magic shows and wizarding games to delicious treats and fun crafts, this annual event is always a highlight for students and families! But it's not just about having fun—attendees are also encouraged to bring donations to support the food pantry at Catholic Community Services. We are so grateful for the team at Young Automotive for always being such strong supporters of our Ogden students and families. Our community is better because of you.
about 2 months ago, Ogden School Foundation
Cast a Spell on Hunger Event
Face painting
Broomstick photo area
Wizard Games
Foundation board members at event
Magic  Show
Magic Show at Cast a Spell Event
Butter Beer  Cart
Face painting at Cast a Spell Event
Photo booth at event