Mrs. Vicki Gardner – Diamond Fork Junior High School

May 25, 2010, 5:32 PM | Updated: Jan 15, 2021, 6:15 am

Dear Selection Committee,

Mrs. Gardner is a creative and passionate teacher!
Hello, my name is Shalee Hiskey. I’m 15 and nominating Mrs. Vicki Gardner for the weekly Teacher Feature! Mrs. Gardner works at Diamond Fork Junior High School and is the World Civilizations & Geography teacher. She is creative, a motivator, and very passionate!

Mrs. Gardner is one of the most creative teachers I know. She always has a knack for giving us some crazy assignments!

Once we had to play monopoly in her class. First, we played it the normal way, or you could say with capitalist rules. The next day, however, we had to play with socialist rules. We had to make sure everyone was equal in everything! The third day we had to play monopoly with communist rules. This was our least favorite way because all we did was go around the board and pay taxes. We didn’t really understand the point of why we were doing it. As the game continued, Mrs. Gardner went around and if she heard anyone say something negative about the way we were playing it, she’d take our money. At first my group didn’t realize this, and I don’t even remember what I said, but Mrs. Gardner took my $500 and walked away. My group and I were astounded. We had no idea or comprehension of why she had done that! Anyway, long story short we eventually go the gist of what was going on and learned that if we were communists; we would have no freedom of speech.

Mrs. Gardner also had us do this game where we learned about India and the Caste classes there. We all had a sticker on our forehead of the Caste class. There was one person from each group taken out and without them realizing it, they were labeled as the “Untouchables.” Our assignment was that when they came back, we couldn’t look at them, talk to them, and had to completely ignore them. This was such a learning experience for all of us, to be treated so differently and sometimes, rudely. I was actually the person right above the outcasts. My Caste was also pretty much ignored, but not as badly as the “Untouchables.”

These are only a couple of examples of some creative ways that she has taught us our lessons. Mrs. Gardner has a talent for teaching. She knows how to get the message of the lesson across in such a creative way.

One thing that Mrs. Garner can do is motivate us. Not with candy or prizes like most teachers. She motivates us in a way that can’t be described. I’ll be honest, I don’t really like learning about history, but I do know I have to learn it for important reasons. When Mrs. Gardner teaches me, I WANT to learn more about history, not because I have to learn, but because I WANT to. Mrs. Gardner pushes us to the best of our learning abilities and fills us with so much knowledge. It’s true, she is a strict teacher. But without enforcing rules thoroughly, students would walk all over her. She is smart for having such strict rules because no one dares to break them for fear of the consequences. I know that in my honors class we abide by rules given and that is why Mrs. Gardner is so relaxed with us, because she doesn’t have to worry about us trying to pull a “fast one” on her. Mrs. Garner has a talent to motivate us internally.

Passion is something that I see very clearly in her teaching. Mrs. Garner is passionate for everything she teaches and she cares so much for it all. Not only is Mrs. Gardner such a passionate teacher, but she is also a passionate traveler. She teaches history, and one of her favorite things to do is to go see where it took place, what it looks like now, and if she can help in any way possible. She has traveled to all 50 states and has traveled to many more places around the world. She also cares for her students. You can see it in her eyes as she teaches, even if a kid is being a “bone head” that day. Every week she gives out a “Prestigious Penny Award.” This award is just a card with a penny taped to it and a note written from her. She gives this award to a student who she cares about immensely and has shown Abraham Lincoln-like qualities. I think it is so cool of her that even though she is so busy, she makes time to make a great significance in some of her students’ lives with this little award.

Mrs. Gardner has made a HUGE impact on my life. I hope I have brightened her days when she has had a hard day. Mrs. Gardner is so hard-working and so thoughtful and kind. She deserves this award, and I hope she gets it. If she gets it, I will be able to pay back a small price to her for all she’s done for me. She deserves her own “Prestigious Penny Award” because she has many of Lincoln’s traits and many of these traits and talents have impacted me.

I love her with my whole heart! I hope you realize the Mrs. Gardner is creative, a motivator, and very passionate. If every teacher were like her, we would all learn so much more. Thanks for EVERYTHING Mrs. Gardner! You are truly the BEST!

Love,

Shalee Hiskey

We want to hear from you.

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

Today’s Top Stories

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

A video recorded by Facebook user Larry Jacquez shows the police response following the shooting in...

Jamiel Lynch, CNN     

At least 3 people killed and 2 officers wounded in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police say

Multiple people were shot and at least three killed in a shooting in Farmington, New Mexico, police said in a Facebook post.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now....

Allessandra Harris

Camping over Memorial Day Weekend? Plan ahead

If you plan to camp over Memorial Day Weekend, you may want to begin the planning process now.

11 months ago

slcpd on the scene of the deaths...

Josh Ellis

Police: Teen killed by father in murder-suicide in SLC office building

Police responded to the office complex near 3000 S. Highland Drive on Saturday after emergency responders received a call from a community member who reported finding a body.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

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.

Mrs. Vicki Gardner – Diamond Fork Junior High School