EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Joni Donithorne – Rocky Mountain Elementary School

Jun 21, 2011, 12:43 PM | Updated: Aug 4, 2022, 12:01 pm

My daughter, Joni Donithorne, teaches at Rocky Mountain Elementary in the Alpine School District. This particular year she teaches a combination third-fourth grade class. Before school began in the fall, Joni was vacationing in Sedona, Arizona. She had her class list of prospective students with her. She sent each one of them a personal note telling them she was glad they were going to be in her class and was looking forward to the new school year. She did this on her vacation! She has taught for many years (as I also have done in the past), and I’ve noticed that she often goes above and beyond the norm, helping her students to feel appreciated and welcomed. As an example, this past Christmas she gave each of her students a blanket to help keep them warm during the cold winter months. She genuinely loves each of her students and conveys that to them in many ways.

She was thoroughly enjoying her few days of vacation during the Christmas holidays. The night before she was to return to school the next morning she remarked, “Well, vacation is over, time to go back to work,” and she sighed a small sigh. Shortly after that, the doorbell rang. One of Joni’s students, nine year old Seth, was standing there with his mother. He was holding a plate of homemade cookies obviously made by a nine year old. They had been ‘decorated’ to look like smiling faces. Attached was a note that read, “Mrs. Donithorne, these are ‘Happy Cookies’. I am HAPPY that you are my teacher. See you tomorrow.”

Obviously, that cold winter’s night air was replaced by a warm and happy teacher’s heart that seemed to melt right in the snow. Those are the rewards of the teaching profession. She certainly deserves those kinds of rewards in her Mother’s opinion. I am happy to nominate her for the Teacher Feature Award.

-Lavona Areghini

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.

15 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.

18 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. 

1 day 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.

Joni Donithorne – Rocky Mountain Elementary School