Receiving the Presidential Award manifests the good fortune I've had. This good fortune began as a student whose love of learning was ignited in teachers' classrooms who welcomed and valued me. As a professional, I cherish that my growth and understanding has been deepened in many ways but always with inspiring colleagues. I'm grateful to the students who have been part of my journey and shown me what makes a classroom joyful. I'm honored to join a new community of dedicated educators.

Heidi Boogert Salt Lake City, UT | K-6, Mathematics, 2020

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Heidi Boogert began her childhood dream, a teaching career, 17 years ago as an intern at North Star Elementary School in the most supportive environment in which a new teacher could hope to begin. After this, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in elementary education and a minor in English. She continued on a as North Star Navigator in the Salt Lake City School District and spent the following nine years mostly teaching second and third grade. She completed her English as a Second Language endorsement and most of a mathematics endorsement during that time from Southern Utah University. In 2014, Heidi began teaching third grade at Highland Park Elementary School. Building cooperative learning environments is her passion. Participating in professional learning cohorts led by the amazing mathematics coaches in the Salt Lake City School District led Heidi to focus on mathematics in her classroom. Students are guided to participate in mathematics talk and create mathematics models that represent their thinking. Attending the Kagan Cooperative Learning Workshop gave Heidi the tools she needed to enrich the learning environment of her students, enabling each student to have a mathematical voice through daily cooperative mathematics activities. Heidi extends her passion for education outside her classroom walls. She works with her grade-level team to incorporate grade-level assessments and interventions to bolster student success. She has served as the chair for the School Improvement Committee at Highland Park; represents the Salt Lake Education Association as the area representative for her school; and enjoys being part of Highland Park's School Community Council. Heidi thrives on seeing her students enjoy learning and take ownership of their growth.

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