The principal of Corinne Elementary School has been known to go out and meet with every parent and every student in his school during the summer to understand who they are and what environment the students are coming from. He works hard to ensure that children from all walks of life are provided with the best educational experience.

His infectious enthusiasm sweeps everyone along on a wave of productivity, a lively journey that all are more than willing to make.

Colleagues say teachers seeking inspiration can turn to him for a fresh approach, while a student challenged by financial or family circumstances can count on Brown as a mentor and problem solver.

When growing class sizes at his school became problematic, he reduced the numbers by creating an additional class that he himself taught.

"It's just a rush as a principal, to actually set a goal that you unitedly work towards and then see that goal achieved," Brown said. "Every morning I wake up I am excited to come to work — education comes at you differently every day and you always feel challenged."

Colleen Pehrson

First-grade teacher

Monticello Elementary School/Mexican Hat

Elementary

San Juan District

Colleen Pehrson drove 150 miles a day to make changes in students that other teachers said couldn't be achieved.

Mexican Hat Elementary School is located on the Navajo reservation. Three years ago only 7 percent of the school's first-graders were reading on grade level. The school had gone through a number of unsuccessful teachers, year after year.

Pehrson was a known success at Monticello Elementary School and was invited to transfer for an experimental year to see if her methods would reverse the trend at Mexican Hat — to prove it could be done.

Pehrson rose to the challenge last school year, and by May, 80 percent of those advancing to second grade were reading on grade level. By year end, Mexican Hat Elementary's first grade led the district in criterion-referenced testing.

"I just believe all children can learn, you just have to tap into what is going to motivate them," Pehrson said. "There is no magic to it — it's just hard work."

Colleagues say her success has helped other teachers approach their own classrooms with renewed enthusiasm. In addition to changing many lives for the better, she has helped establish a new blueprint for teachers of Navajo children, they say.

David Turner

Principal

North Layton Junior High School

Davis District

David Turner not only values students but helps them to value each other.