Tandi Churchill - Venture Academy

Tandi Churchill is an excellent example of a teacher who puts all of her efforts into teaching our young people the values of achieving excellence, hard work, patience and to never give up. Her students absolutely love having her as a teacher because she makes learning so much fun and engaging. Tandi currently teaches grades 3 - 5. She taught 1st and 2nd grade at the same school. When she moved to the higher grade levels all of her former students were so excited to be associated with her again. She spends countless hours preparing her lessons to engage her students in a fun way and help them to have a desire to learn.

Trina Thomson, one of her fellow teachers and mother of one of her students said the following, "I have never know a teacher more dedicated to instilling a spirit of excellence in her students. First, she is an amazing, untiring example of someone constantly in pursuit of excellence in her teaching. One question she asks her students is, "Is it worth it?" when talking to them about a project or presentation that they just completed excellently... and they always say, "Yes, it was worth it." Ms. Churchill is very dedicated to her students and makes every day a memorable one. I have the perspective being a mother of a student that has been in her class. Her influence has been evident in my child's educational pursuits many times over. His love for learning things deeply and well came from her enthusiasm in the classroom. She guided the students in their learning and helped them discover many things about Frogs, Japan, Horticulture, Insects, and the community around us... just to name a few. My child who was in the second grade at the time said, " If it is not good enough, then we just revise and make it excellent. That is what doing our best is about." These are the kinds of things that Tandi Churchill instills in her students on a daily basis. If only everyone could have a Ms. Churchill in their lives, then mediocrity would not be acceptable and more children would believe in their own abilities to learn and discover.... I could go on and on about her. She simply amazes me!"

Howard Brinkerhoff, another fellow teacher says this, "I have worked with a great young teacher named Tandi Churchill for the past four years. Her work with children is wonderful. The quality of work the students produce when in Tandi's crew is amazing to behold ! Parents love her for how she helps their children stretch and excel to meet her goals for them. She is a great example of dedication to the education profession and excellence in all she does with and for her pupils. " I am Tandis fiancé and I have been able to witness the great love her students have for learning and achieving excellence. Her students love learning. They love being engaged. She is able to teach the Utah state core through expeditionary learning, which gets the students involved in a hands-on approach to learning. I have been able to witness the final products of her 1st and 2nd grade students that not only amaze, but bring awe to see these little children create and share their extensive knowledge to their parents and community.

Tandi is such a great example to her co-workers, family and parents of someone who cares deeply for the education of our future leaders. Her love and commitment to education is evident in her students. They simply love to learn, love to achieve their highest goals. They love to live up to high expectations.

I am not one for words, but i hope you can get a feeling for the type of teacher she is by her co-workers and a parents experience. She is not a person who likes to brag or make notice of herself, but there are many of us who feel that something like this would help show our appreciation for all that she does for our community. Thanks for your consideration for my nomination of Tandi Churchill for the KSL Teacher Feature.

--Jason Chantry

Tandi is a teacher who motivates and encourages both students and teachers alike. She has high expectations of herself, and she reflects on her teaching to assure that she is matching how she is teaching with the needs of her students. She doesn't believe in doing anything half way. She always tries new and exciting ways to capture the students natural curiosity about the world around them, as well as, to get her students to see the "why" behind learning even the most basic skills. She allows and encourages students to question, and pursue answer to questions in a safe, and respectful classroom environment. Tandi raises the bar in her classroom and amongst the staff members that are privileged to rub shoulders with her. What I admire most about Tandi though is her unrestricted dreams, and her willingness to allow her students to dream, and then finding a way to make those dreams come true by using her creativity. I am proud to be able to teach in the same school as Tandi.

--Danielle Wermager