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It is with greatest pleasure that I nominate Jan Moncour, a wonderful teacher and friend, for consideration on the KSL Newsradio Teacher Feature.
Jan has been a devoted teacher for 26 years and a member of the Business Department at Brighton High School for the past 20 years. She is known as an innovative and engaging teacher. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she has been endlessly involved in extra curricular activities and committees, currently serving as advisor for the student body and class officers.
Jan touches the lives of every student, teacher and staff member at Brighton High School. Because of her work with student government, she is either in charge of or involved with most of the school sponsored activities. She is not only fully occupied and engaged, but she is also continuously enthusiastic, energetic and passionate. Jan gives 120% in everything she does and she does it with class. Under her direction and with her guidance, the school fund-raisers continue to be record-breaking year after year. Whatever the ideas the class officers come up with, Jan finds a way to connect with the right people and makes it happen. Her efforts have included generous contributions to the Make a Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House, a clinic in South America and a school in Africa; they have purchased equipment for the U of U Life Flight helicopter that saves lives of babies on their way to the hospital and have made it possible to surgically repair the mouths of hundreds of children through Operation Smile. These are just some of the things she has made happen through her hard work.
Jan also finds time in her busy schedule to be involved in the community. After her only son, Phillip, was tragically killed while serving in the Army three years ago, she became a member of the Gold Star Mothers. In this capacity she has been active in promoting patriotism and love of country. Jan has organized assemblies to honor our service people. She posts American flags on our school's lawn to remind us of the school room and encourages teachers to start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. She organized a fund-raiser to help the families of our local military people. The results of this effort included being able to pay rent, utility and medical bills and even bought a refrigerator for a family who had nothing but a cooler. Her compassion and interests extend to our community and to the needs of those whose loved ones are serving in our military.
Jan works hundreds of hours for which she is never paid. She is one of the first ones in our school building in the morning and one of the last to leave at night. She is here much of the summer preparing for the coming year. She is the first person to help someone in need. She is adored by her students and loved by the faculty, administration and staff. She is someone who can always be counted on to go far beyond expectations, and she does it with good spirit and cheer.
Jan is one of the best teachers, hardest workers, and most caring people I know. It is my privilege to nominate her for your prestigious award.
Thank you for your consideration.
Penny Petersen
