Gretchen Givone, a dual immersion teacher at Draper Park Middle School, has more than three decades of teaching experience, including 21 years in France. But when she took on the role of teaching English Language Development & Literacy I, she faced unexpected anxiety. 

“I hadn’t planned on doing it and thought, ‘What if I don't do this right? What’s the method?’” she said. “I was terrified.”

During the past school year, Givone implemented Read 180, a new program introduced by Canyons School District and developed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The program supports students from diverse international backgrounds who are new to English.

Although she holds a degree in English as a Second Language, Givone committed herself fully to mastering the new curriculum before beginning instruction.

“I took all the classes, went to every meeting and was applying myself to do it right; I wanted to make sure they got the best education they could,” Givone said.

Her dedication paid off. By the end of the school year, most of her students advanced from ELD and Literacy I to Literacy 2—progressing more quickly than students had in the past.

In recognition of her success, Givone was one of only 57 educators nationwide to receive the Read 180 award from among thousands of program instructors. She was the sole recipient from the western United States.

“I am an overachiever and always want to do my best,” she said. “I love teaching; my secret power throughout my life is loving what I'm learning, building those connections and sharing that passion with my students so they learn it, too.” λ