Since Morgan Lami was little, she played school with her cousins and her stuffed animals. When she was in kindergarten, she made a life decision.

“By the time I had gone to kindergarten and experienced school, I had decided I was going to be a teacher,” she said. “I knew that was what I was meant to do with my life.”

School was a second home to her.

“It’s always been a place where I’ve felt safe and it’s the place where I was successful, but I also realized that wasn’t the experience of everyone. That motivated me to replicate that school environment for my students. It’s what motivates me every day,” said the Hillcrest Junior High teacher who was named Murray School District’s Teacher of the Year.

Lami, along with Licensed Employee of the Year Becky Behunin from Horizon Elementary and Education Support Professional of the Year Robert Wood from Riverview Junior High received flowers, a commemorative clock and an Amazon gift card. 

They, along with other nominees, also got a banner stating they were school winners and were recognized at a luncheon. Other schools’ teachers of the year include Charli Quinonez, Grant Elementary; Kristie Short, Horizon; Cindy Larsen, Liberty Elementary; Anne Kjar, Longview Elementary; Meghan Fe’iloaki, McMillan Elementary; Quinn Drury, Murray High; Emily Cox, Parkside Elementary; Haley Johnson, Riverview; and Jessica Felt, Viewmont Elementary. 

Other nominated licensed employee were Keri Alder, Hillcrest; Michelle Bouwman, Liberty; Becky Powell, Longview; Amy Koehler, McMillan; Brady Smith, Murray High; Brandi Sandoval, Parkside; Gina Dansie, Riverview; Christy Vuyk, Viewmont; and Sierra Marsh, District office. The nominees for Education Support Professional of the Year included Kelly Sandness, Grant; Michelle Simmons, Hillcrest; Sue Mohlman, Horizon; Carrin Bridgewater, Liberty; Deb Spackman, McMillan; James Richhart, Murray High; Michelle Cross, Parkside; Tyler Wallace, Viewmont; and Amy Seiter, District office.

For Lami, being honored was rewarding, yet difficult.

“It was exciting when (Murray School District) Superintendent (Jennifer) Covington, Assistant Superintendent (Scott) Wihongi, and my three vice principals came into my fifth period with a big banner letting me know I was nominated,” she said. “I was speechless later when admin(istration) told me I had won for the District. I work really hard, and I do my best every day, but it’s hard when you see everyone doing their best and you’re the one who won the award.”

Lami will be Murray District’s nominee for the state teacher of the year award.

She earned her International Baccalaureate diploma at Hillcrest High in Midvale, her Bachelor’s in English teaching with a minor in French from the University of Utah and her Master’s in teaching from Westminster College. She also studied French for a semester at the University of Grenoble in France.

Each day, Lami teaches about 140 students in her ninth-grade honors English, ninth-grade English, and French I and Introduction to French.

“I have always loved reading and writing, so I knew I had passion to teach those subjects. I also always wanted to be bilingual, so I challenged myself to become fluent, to get that endorsement. I love that language, the words, the linguistics. When I teach French, I use culture from everywhere—France, yes, but a lot of African culture as well because French is used in most of their business and governments and in arts and culture. I try to give them a holistic view of the French-speaking world,” she said.

Lami’s approach in the classroom is supportive, taking on the role of a coach who is devoted to her students’ future.

“I am 100% present in the classroom every day. I’m walking around, talking to the kids, I’m invested in their education, I’m invested in their making growth. I really don’t let anybody slip behind. I make them know when there is learning, I’m going to be right there. I don’t think it’s unique. Many teachers are supportive, immersive, interactive, but they know when they’re in my classroom. I’m not looking at my phone or checking my emails. I’m there to help them,” she said.

At the end of the school year, a student simply told Lami he didn’t know what to do for the assignment, he didn’t think he could get it done and could he have an extension.

“I always know where my students are at when it comes to their assignments. This one wasn’t any different. I’m able to cue the next steps on where we’re going and ask ‘What’s your plan?’ It’s the students who generate the plan and if not, I suggest an idea and ask if it something that will work for them as I did in this case and he’s going to be able to get it done on time. My role is to be the person who’s always there for them, to make sure they keep moving forward,” she said.

Lami also is the English department chair, serves on the Murray Education Association’s executive board, advises the Rainbow Educational Alliance for Diverse Views group and created an after-school program last year for upward of 100 students.

“I love everything about teaching. I love that it’s creative, and I determine what every single day is going to look like and feel like. I love watching students grow and learn and challenge themselves and find success to become their best selves. I love working with my colleagues and collaborating. I just love every part of the job,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes comes from John Arthur, who was Utah’s teacher of the year (in 2021). He said, ‘Teaching isn’t a job. It’s a joy.’ That is how I feel every day.”

Behunin taught first grade at Monte Vista Elementary in Jordan School District for five years before she took a break to raise her four children.

However, when it was time to put her oldest daughter in preschool, others persuaded her to start her own.

“I ran an academic preschool for 10 years; I started volunteering at Horizon when my older kids attended here,” Behunin said. “By volunteering, I was able to get hours to keep my teaching certificate up. When a teacher asked me if I wanted to work here as a para (professional), I ran a preschool in the mornings and became a reading para in the afternoon for two years. When my youngest daughter was getting ready to be to kindergarten, the intervention specialist position became available, so I’ve been doing it for three years. It’s a licensed, full-time position and it’s something I love to do. I love reading. I love working with students in small groups and seeing them achieve set goals. It’s been a perfect fit and a perfect transition back into the public education system.”

She works with 15 educational support professionals, providing students with additional support. 

“We monitor them a little bit more because our data shows that they’re struggling. We strengthen their learning gaps and skills they may be missing so they can succeed in the classroom. It’s fun to see the growth that students make and to have the kids recognize that because that’s what motivates them. We encourage them to take ownership of their learning,” Behunin said.

Although grateful for the honor, the reward isn’t being recognized by her peers, District administration or the Murray Board of Education.

“The most rewarding part of it is seeing the smile on those kid’s face when it clicks in their head. They have a sense of accomplishment and know they can persevere and work hard, and with the needed support structures in place, they can be successful. We all want what’s best and the Horizon community works together as a whole, collaborating for the good of the students,” she said. “When the team works together for the common good of students’ growth and achievement, wonderful things can happen.” λ

Wood, too, was a bit surprised to learn of his award.

“It was quite a surprise to get nominated,” he said. “I prefer just keeping my head down and make sure everything’s good. I know most custodians or facilities managers like being in the back working and not out in the limelight. So this was nice to have it brought forward and spotlight what we do.”

This past year, it meant that Wood filled in when a staff member retired and another one was out for surgery for a couple months. He makes sure everything is clean inside and outside, including snow removal in the winter.

“The best part of the job is making sure the school is ready to go the next day for everybody to come in. No one has to think about if it’s clean, if it’s good. They just come in and it just looks clean and ready,” he said.

Wood has been at Riverview for two years and four years prior at Horizon Elementary. He also has coached student-athletes at Murray High for about 20 years. 

“This all has been great, a big surprise and I’m appreciative,” he said. “But now, it’s time to start our summer cleaning, we’ll be starting on the floors everywhere so come fall, we’ll bedents.” λ