EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Robert Nelson – West Point Junior High

May 21, 2014, 9:58 AM | Updated: Aug 4, 2022, 11:49 am

I am nominating a person who is a hero in my eyes. Robert “Bob” Nelson is a speech teacher for the Davis School District and works with the deaf and hard of hearing children. He came into my daughter Katie’s life when she transferred from the Utah School of the Deaf and Blind to her neighborhood elementary school when she was in first grade. It was a scary change to go from the sheltered deaf school to being around hearing peers, but Bob had confidence in Katie’s abilities and immediately took her under his wing. Bob has been a crucial part of Katie’s life ever since. She is now in 8th grade at West Point Junior High and has flourished thanks to Bob’s constant tutoring and support. She is on or above grade level in honors classes, which is an amazing feat for a deaf child.

Three and a half years ago, Katie went through a very difficult time. She was in the hospital with newly diagnosed Type I diabetes at the same time the paperwork for her parents’ divorce was going through the court system. Katie had to change schools at the time and lost Bob for one year. I could immediately tell the difference in her life without him. She needed him and I made sure she got him back as her teacher for the following year. He was not only a teacher, but became a grandfather figure to Katie during this hard time. He was a support she could confide in and he could reach her when no one else could. To this day, when Katie feels isolated and alone due to her deafness and her diabetes, she always knows she will end the day in Bob’s class and looks forward to that. I truly believe she could not have emotionally survived the past few difficult years without Bob in her life.

Bob was scheduled to retire last year but stuck around one more year. He told me it was for Katie because he wanted to see her continue to progress. Bob has officially announced that he is retiring this year, so Katie and I both hope you will honor him with the teacher feature award. He is completely deserving of the recognition and is a true hero in the lives of his students. We love him!

–Miranda Loveless

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Education + Schools

alpine school district signage shown...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

Amid ‘tension’ in Alpine School District, board votes to study potential district reconfiguration

Alpine School District's board of education has voted unanimously to begin a study into reconfiguring the biggest district in the Beehive State.

11 months ago

A student at Toeele Junior High School brought an unloaded firearm onto campus Thursday morning, ac...

Simone Seikaly

Student found with unloaded gun at Tooele Junior High

Tooele Police said a resource officer learned about the gun from an administrator, who heard from a teacher, who heard from a student.

11 months ago

Burned trees piled on the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration land pictured...

Adam Small and Samantha Herrera

$300,000 cleanup getting property back to raising money for public schools

The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration has to clear decades worth of bullets and rifle pellets from a former Boy Scouts camp.

11 months ago

A lawsuit filed against the Alpine School District, the district's board of education and Superinte...

Logan Stefanich

Parents file lawsuit against Alpine School District over potential closure of 5 elementary schools

The suit comes less than a month after the same group of parents threatened to bring legal action against the Alpine School district.

11 months ago

Fourth grade teacher Emily Weigel shows her students that it might be hard to fit under their desks...

Amanda Dickson

What teachers want during Teacher Appreciation week — R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Teachers and parents alike work tirelessly to educate and raise kids. Here's what one organization says about appreciating your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

11 months ago

climate change education...

Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News

State School Board restores climate change science standard by 1 vote

The majority of the Utah State Board of Education members ended up rejecting a recommendation that would remove climate change language from the state's science standards.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Robert Nelson – West Point Junior High