EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Joanna Clayton – Reading Elementary

Nov 13, 2017, 1:11 PM | Updated: Aug 4, 2022, 10:58 am

There are those who teach as a job and those who change lives when they teach. Mrs. Joanna Clayton is a life-changing teacher. It is easier to teach those awesome students to whom everything comes easily. My son is not that student. He works hard for everything that he learns and does so with a great attitude. This causes his teacher more work and for my wife and I.

Earlier this year when my son was struggling on some items, Mrs. Clayton took time to hear us about what we were seeing as the problem. She took the time to work with us as a team to help him be successful. She showed genuine concern and interest in his success. She pointed us in the direction of in school resources, made time to review his work when it was wrong and sent home extra work so that we could practice with him and help him get caught up with his class. She took the time to listen, find a plan, and give him confidence in himself.

Mrs. Clayton puts her heart and soul into her class and her students. When my son was trying hard and scored low on a test-her heartfelt emotions and caring showed through when she got a misty eyed. She did not write him off or abandon him. She worked with us to double down on him-change things either on her end or by helping us to try different techniques at home. She did not give up on our son.

For a fourth grader, who by standardized tests was well below grade level, the Harry Potter books would be a challenge. When he stated that he wanted to read them she encouraged him. As he progressed through the books, she praised him. When he finished the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire before we had purchased the next book, Mrs. Clayton again showed her true caring and kindness by bringing her personal copy from home and loaning it to him so he could continue reading and not lose interest. She has invested herself into our son.

I could go on and on about little things that Mrs. Clayton does for her students. There are the late evening emails, a willingness to meet before, during, or after school with concerned parents, and a dozen other small things that she does constantly. I believe her greatest asset is how much she cares. She does not care just about the grades-but about the students behind the grades. She does not care about perfection, but that her students are working to perfect themselves. She does not care that some do not get it on the first try, she cares that they try until they get it. She cares about the right things-her students.
-Robert Gomez

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.

Joanna Clayton – Reading Elementary