Alicia Rudd, Larsen Elementary, Nebo District

SPANISH FORK — Alicia Rudd, 36, for nine years was a transitional first-grade teacher at Spanish Fork's Larsen Elementary. She taught the 12 students with the lowest test scores in kindergarten and worked to bring them up to speed in first grade.

"At the beginning of the year, they were mainly below grade level," Rudd said. "But by midyear, there were many varying grade levels. By the end of the year, I would have three that didn't get to grade level that would be referred to resource or special education programs."

"A lot of the time, not only do those kids have academic needs, they also have behavior needs, as well," said Dwight Liddiard, who was the principal at Larsen last year and is now principal of the new East Meadows Elementary in Spanish Fork.

Rudd also is teaching at East Meadows this year, as a second-grade teacher for half days. She spends the remaining part of her days at Spanish Fork Junior High School as an intern. She is working on an administrative endorsement from Southern Utah University. She also has endorsements in math and reading.

"She's a real learner herself," Liddiard said. "She's completed a master's in mathematics, as well as an administrative endorsement."

"I just believe that every child has the ability to learn," Rudd said. "They just ended up sometimes that they needed extra help to help them succeed, and my job as a teacher is to give them that help."