The Granite School District board recently recognized two Granite Technical Institute staff members for their teaching applications in their respective disciplines.

Gracie Williams was awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year by the Utah Association of Agricultural Educators (UAAE), and Allan Erichsen was awarded Utah Technology Student Association Advisor (TSA) of the Year.

Mandy Chapple, principal at GTI, said, “We are especially excited for them and the contributions they make for our students each and every day. They both go above and beyond the expectation and work toward helping our students find their passion.”

Williams teaches agriculture and focuses on animal and equine science. Chapple shared that the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award is given to a first-year teacher that has excelled in classroom and lab teaching in addition to Supervised Agricultural Experiences, while managing their FFA chapter (formerly Future Farmers of America) and contributing to the profession.

Williams teaches six animal classes and serves as the Granite Mountain FFA chapter advisor. FFA is a student-led membership organization which students are automatically enrolled in as part of the curriculum. The Granite Mountain chapter has over 600 students, qualifying it as one of the largest in the state.

FFA has a summer agricultural program students can participate in and many class applications are conducted in partnership with Wheeler Farm. Williams strives to give her students as much hands-on experience as possible. She sees it as a way to spark interest.

Commenting on the award, she said, “It means a lot. This first semester pushed me. There was so much happening and emotional investment.” 

It also built confidence for her. “I can be a teacher. I can do it,” she said.

Erichsen is in his first year at GTI, teaching engineering and robotics and recently received a grant to run an after-school robotics program. He was awarded for his contributions as an advisor to the TSA, which is a student-led organization. Chapple said that the TSA focuses on personal development, leadership and career opportunities in STEM, and members integrate these learning concepts through extracurricular activities, programs and competitive events.  λ