Lauren Merkley's Utah education career started in a non-traditional spot -- as a corporate fundraiser on the east coast. Through an alternative route process, she eventually settled in as an AP English Language and Composition teacher at Cottonwood High School in Murray, Utah. Lauren embraced the profession and became Utah's 2020 Teacher of the Year. In this episode, Lauren discusses how and why she became a teacher, the importance of building human connections with students, and how she stays passionate about teaching by utilizing the "shitty drafts." Listen to this episode to hear her story and get pumped about teaching.
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Audryn Damron (@audryn_d) -- 9th & 10th Grade SPED Math Cottonwood High School
Natalie Johnson (@Natalie83913767) -- Grades 7-12, Arts Foundations, Computer Science, Digital Graphics, Creative Coding, and College & Career Awareness teacher in San Jan School District.
Lauren Merkley (@lmerkles) -- AP English Language and Composition teacher at Cottonwood High School and Utah Teacher of the Year 2020
Ryan Rarick (@Coach_Rarick) -- AP Lang Teacher & Learning Coach Snow Canyon High School
Kayla Towner (@mrstowner9) -- Technology Instructor/Trainer at Utah Education Network (UEN)