SANDY — Jon Van Wagoner's talent for teaching brought $10,000 to Eastmont Middle School Wednesday. But two of the Wal-Mart Utah Teacher of the Year's former students — a mother and daughter, who is battling leukemia — say he's worth far more.

"He's like part of our family," said mother Wendy Hossain, who, with daughter Heather Crandall, nominated Van Wagoner for the award.

Wal-Mart selected the 60-year-old reading teacher from 1,200 local honorees. As the store's Utah teacher of the year, Van Wagoner, surprised with the honor at a Wednesday school assembly, receives a certificate, jacket, $10,000 grant for the school, and a shot at a $25,000 educational grant that accompanies Wal-Mart's national teacher of the year award.

The $10,000 grant will fund student programs at Eastmont, principal Ann White said. The staff will help decide which.

"We want to spend (it) on students," Van Wagoner said. "I'm very, very excited and pleased that Wal-Mart helps support our schools."

Van Wagoner entered education 31 years ago "to help kids," and has developed a soft spot for students at risk for academic difficulty.

He has taught English as a second language at an Oaxaca, Mexico, college, according to the school's Web site. He has directed Eastmont's Alternative School. He has offered reading help before and after school, and teaches a 10-week summer study-skills class.

"He is so kid-centered. You can ask him anything about any student . . . and he'll know everything about them, and not just academically," Jordan District Deputy Superintendent Sherry Wasden said. "They're . . . his kids."

Van Wagoner also educates students who are battling illness or recuperating in their homes.

But that's not how Heather came to know him.

The Jordan High junior was one of Van Wagoner's students in seventh and eighth grades. As a ninth-grader at Eastmont, she was diagnosed with leukemia, Hossain said. Heather was referred to Valley High's home and hospital program, but she wanted Van Wagoner to be her teacher.

She got him.

"He helps me through it," said Heather, who is in a maintenance phase with the cancer, but could relapse at any time, according to her mother. "He is a good teacher, and he's taught me so much. He was there for me and he cares about children and their education."

Van Wagoner, who has earned a master's degree in education from the University of Utah, also has been named Educator of the Month by the regional Parent-Teacher-Student Association and the Sandy Chamber of Commerce. Last year, he received the Legislator's Award of Excellence in the Classroom, which comes with a $1,500 cash award from Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, Zions Bank and Jordan Credit Credit Union.

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