EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Ms. Bunny Aiken – Hillcrest Elementary

Oct 28, 2008, 4:30 AM | Updated: Aug 4, 2022, 12:06 pm

There I was, looking for where I was supposed to sit while talking with my friends. “There it is.” I said, and so I sat down. Inside of me I was very nervous, and I didn’t know what she would be like. Would she be nice? Would she be mean? All the older kids said that she was the toughest, meanest teacher in the whole school. I don’t know what she will be like, but all I knew was I was just about to find out.

That mean old teacher, well, she became my favorite teacher ever. She is the best teacher anybody could have. She is the nicest, hardest, and the most terrific teacher anybody could have. Yes, she was really hard at times in her class, actually almost all of the time. Everyone made it through her class though. She makes the learning environment a very fun place to be. Everyone in her class is always anxious to go back to school the next day. Everybody loves Ms. Aiken.

Ms. Aiken has fun little projects every month. These range from in-class games, to in-class stores, and even to fun book reports. She makes everybody excited to do the things that she has him or her do, while learning at the same time without even knowing it! The best thing that she does to all of her students is teach them to be able to survive middle school or junior high. If I didn’t have her as my teacher, I’d probably have “B’s” and “C’s” at the best instead of a 4.0 GPA. She teaches her kids to do their best, get it done on time, and try to have fun while doing it!

Ms. Aiken is the best fifth grade teacher ever! She has had a huge impact on all of the lucky fifth graders that went to Hillcrest Elementary School.

Justin Christensen

Dear KSL/ Zions Bank Teacher Feature,

My name is Cristian Antonio Gutierrez. I am in 7th grade and go to Highland Middle School in Ogden, Utah. I currently have a 4.0 GPA and honors in my classes. But as far as I know this would not be possible if it weren’t for my teacher. She pushed and got me through 5th grade. I have no doubt that my 5th grade teacher Ms. Aiken deserves this award. She was always defending me and keeping me out of trouble.

In 4th grade I was asked to test into a program that taught at an advanced level. I failed to get in. But when I was asked to test again into ALA again, I thought about declining it because I had failed the year before. But when I met Ms. Aiken, she gave me an inspiration and confidence to try again.

She made me feel better about my self. Kids would call me racial slurs that lowered my self esteem. It made me feel horrible about myself. They also made fun of me because I was a little over weight. She told me to stay in from recess because she wanted to talk to me. She said that those kids were wrong. That I was good at sports and school work. She said that what mattered was that I had a kind heart and humble mind. Whenever I am down, I hear those words and it changes me It makes me feel better to hear those words.. My life would not be the same with out her.

She is a great woman and teacher. Ms. Aiken is a teacher that has never been thanked for what she does for students. Even students that had her a couple years back, get help from her. They see her and ask her questions that they need help with in school. Ms Aiken has earned this award because she is an amazing teacher.

I know that every student that had her or has her, is given confidence. There lives are changed completely. I really want to repay her for everything she did for me. You guys can help me give this to her. Her students and I would appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,
Cristian A. Gutierrez

We want to hear from you.

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

Education + Schools

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

21 hours ago

The Powder Baby Dry Shampoo team poses with its check after winning the 2024 Utah Entrepreneur Chal...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.COM

BYU student startup wins $30K at Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

BYU entrepreneur Kylee Black, who founded Powder Baby, said the cash prize will be instrumental in advancing her business.

23 hours ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

1 day ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

1 day ago

A green and brown sign hangs on a brick wall. It reads "The future of the world is in this classroo...

Mariah Maynes

Study looks into Utah voters’ opinions on curriculum transparency in schools

A Sutherland Institute study found that a majority of Utah voters support curriculum transparency. However, fewer of them support mandating it with legislation. 

2 days ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Ms. Bunny Aiken – Hillcrest Elementary