Salt Lake 2nd-grade teacher named Teacher of Year

The 2009 Teacher of the Year is Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, a second-grade teacher at Salt Lake City School District's Dilworth Elementary School.

Gallagher-Fishbaugh, 51, of Salt Lake City, was recognized by the Utah State Office of Education in a ceremony Friday night

She will receive $10,000, among other prizes.

First runner-up is Crystal Fish, a math teacher at Hillcrest Junior High in Murray School District.

Second runner-up is Karen H. Gorringe, a sixth-grade teacher at Bluffdale Elementary School in Jordan School District.

Gallagher-Fishbaugh has taught school for 29 years. She was selected from a group of 24 teachers nominated by their fellow educators across the state.

"Sharon is loved by the parents and students she has had the privilege of coming in contact with," said Dilworth Elementary Principal Kenneth D. Limb. "She is professional in her relationships with all but exudes love, compassion and high expectations for her students and parents."

Besides the cash award, Gallagher-Fishbaugh will receive a SMARTBoard interactive white board, a classroom wireless microphone system, a computer and a full scholarship in a degree program offered through Walden University.

Gallagher-Fishbaugh will also get to take trips to Dallas for the National Teacher of the Year conference, Washington, D.C., to meet with the president and a U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. She will represent the state in the national Teacher of the Year competition.

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E-mail: astewart@desnews.com