Becky Anderson, Ranches Academy Elementary School

“Mrs. Anderson is one of the most inclusive, empowering, thoughtful, fun-loving, and caring 6th grade teachers! She is so intentional and thoughtful of her lesson plans and the atmosphere that she teaches in as well as how she represents new ideas and curriculum to her students. She goes above and beyond to make her students feel welcome and seen, and teaches them not only the regular curriculum of mathematics and writing, but how to be good people. We are so lucky to have her at the Ranches Academy and she deserves to be recognized for all she does!”

-Jessica Palu

“If Becky’s kindness, love for life and ability to meet everyone where they currently are isn’t enough, she also is able to communicate efficiently with parents and is able to see what each child needs to be successful as they transition throughout the school year and into Middle school. I was so honored to have two of my children to be in her class. One for just a few classes and one as her main teacher.”

-Becky Weaver

“Becky is a fantastic teacher who is extremely dedicated to her students, going above and beyond to capture their energy, attention, and love of learning. It is fun to be in her classroom as a student!”

-Troy Blaser

“She really cares about her students and her school and community. She is very involved and is a cheerleader for others, and is an extremely hard worker in all she goes for!”

-Cindy Blair

“Mrs. Anderson goes out of her to make sure every student is seen and treated with love and respect. She plans fun and engaging lessons in the subjects she teaches. Her commitment and dedication to teaching is truly inspiring.”

-Emily Buttars

“Mrs. Anderson puts more time, effort and love into her class than any other teacher I’ve met. She teaches in a way that connects with her students on a deeper level. She is willing to be silly and get messy for her students. Her students know she cares for them on an individual level. She involves the community in her classroom in a way that gets her students connected with the world around them and excited to contribute back to their community. Mrs. Anderson teaches her students to not only make lemonade out of lemons but to share that lemonade with others.”

-Kaylee Anderson Wilson

“Becky is the most dedicated teacher she doesn’t just do her job she is fully invested in every way! Everyone of her students know she personally cares for them!”

-Susan Larson

“Becky is a loving and caring person especially towards her students, she treats them like a family and she is top notch at what she does!”

-Erik Romero

“Becky is one of the most compassionate people I know, and that compassion is the heartbeat of her classroom. Every day, she greets her students at the door with, “What makes you awesome today?” and sends each one home with a high five and a heartfelt, “I believe in you.”

As I type this, she is sitting in a special education teacher’s office after hours, collaborating on how to best support one of her students. She cares deeply about her students’ growth, not just academically but emotionally as well. Her creativity shines through in the enriching, hands-on experiences she creates to keep her students engaged and excited about learning.

She is an incredibly hard worker who spends countless hours going above and beyond to ensure her lessons are engaging and her students feel supported. Beyond her classroom, she is an amazing colleague. She celebrates the success of every student in our school and serves as a true cheerleader for her fellow teachers. Our school is better because of her; she is a light to us all and a true example of compassion in action.”

-Danielle Cousin

“I would like to nominate Mrs. Anderson for this teacher award because of the incredible impact she has on her students both academically and personally. She consistently goes out of her way to ensure that every child in her classroom feels seen, valued, and included.

Mrs. Anderson creates a classroom environment where kindness, respect, and empathy are just as important as academic success. Through meaningful service projects and intentional teaching, she helps her students understand what it means to be contributing members of their community. She doesn’t just teach curriculum she teaches her students how to be thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate human beings.

Her dedication, care, and commitment to her students make her truly deserving of this recognition.”

-Sara Brown

“Becky puts her heart and soul into her teaching. She has a way with connecting with the students in such a special way. I’m always amazed with how she goes above and beyond to engage her students and make learning fun. I aspire to be more like her! She makes me a better person and a better teacher!”

-Jillaine Clark

“She is creative, compassionate and dedicated. She is constantly thinking of new ways to inspire her students not just feed them material. She started a tradition called Lemonade days where she invites an inspiring community member to come and talk to the kids about their life story or a great accomplishment of theirs. She knows each of her students well and works with their parents to ensure that they have the support they need to succeed.”

-Tanner

“She has taught several of my children and I can honestly say she’s the most genuinely caring teacher I’ve ever encountered! She goes beyond the extra mile making sure each child is seen and thrives.”

-Cynthia Roark

“Rebecca is a selfless, caring and outstanding teacher and a better person. Rebecca’s students score higher than Statewide averages on standardized tests but more important her students show love, support and kindness to their classmates and other members of the Ranches Academy community. Rebecca coaches Cross Country and Track at Ranches Academy and teaches her athletes the importance of hard work and good sportsmanship and the “thrill of victory” and how to respond to disappointment with character and resilience. There is no teacher more worthy of recognition appreciation than REBECCA ANDERSON and, by the way, I am Becky’s Dad.”

-Leonard K. Welsh

“Becky Anderson is a caring, hardworking, selfless teacher. She has taught many of my 5 children through the years each one forming a unique bond with. Her impact on them and our family cannot be overstated and appreciated. I know She has made an impact an not just our family but many throughout the eagle mountain area including at ranches academy.”

-Aaron Roark

“Becky always gives more than needed. She makes learning fun for her students. She turns ordinary lessons into fun activities. She works with the student council and operates an after school running club. She used to be my TA years ago. I saw first hand how much she cares for the students she works with. She creates a safe learning environment where all feel valued and important. I would love it if she were recognized for all she does.”

-Durran Fewkes

“This teacher is amazing because she is kind hearted and genuine. I love her so much she has been there for me through highs and lows and she has a very bright spirit. Becky Anderson has always been amazing at understanding students and how they can learn the best which is one of the many reasons I’m nominating her.”

-Faith

“Becky has always been someone Ive looked up to. She’s been in my life since the moment i was born. Ive had the privilege of seeing her as a preschool teacher, a mom, and now the best 6th grad teacher I’ve seen. She’s always trying to make sure her kids are getting the help they need while staying social. She takes the time to actually teach and not just pretend to care. Becky has done some amazing things and being a teacher is one of them.”

-Eva Roark

“I am honored to nominate Becky Anderson, a 6th grade teacher at The Ranches Academy, for Teacher of the Year. She exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator—dedicated, compassionate, and deeply committed to the success and well-being of every student she serves.

Becky consistently goes above and beyond in her role. She doesn’t simply teach academic content; she cares for the whole child. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe, supported, and genuinely valued. She takes the time to understand each student—their strengths, challenges, and individual needs—and ensures they feel seen and heard every single day.

One of Becky’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to help students recognize their own worth. She intentionally creates opportunities for them to serve others, take on meaningful responsibilities, and contribute in ways that help them feel important. Through these experiences, her students develop confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of personal value.

Becky also fosters meaningful connections between her classroom and the community. She regularly invites special guests to share their experiences and knowledge, enriching her students’ learning and broadening their perspectives. These opportunities make learning more engaging, relevant, and memorable.

Her classroom culture is one of positivity and celebration. Becky makes a point to highlight her students and recognize their achievements, ensuring that every child feels appreciated. Traditions like “Lemonade Fridays” bring joy and build a sense of belonging, creating lasting memories and strengthening the classroom community.

Becky Anderson’s passion for teaching and her genuine care for her students make a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom. She is not only shaping strong learners, but kind, confident, and capable individuals.

For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend Becky Anderson for Teacher of the Year. She is truly deserving of this recognition.”

-Stephanie Colson

“Becky is my wife, I am a teacher as well. Becky has been teaching in her own classroom for three years now and I have taught for 22. I say that just to say that I have experience with some amazing teachers and others. Becky has always been a teacher from teaching me how to do my college math because I didn’t learn it while in high school, to teaching our seven children. She didn’t just teach them but she did summer outdoor school and field trips all the time and truly educated our children on so much stuff. I have had to learn to run really fast to try to keep up with her over the past 26 years. She taught preschool for years to teach our kids and she loved teaching and because I was a teacher and she needed to make extra money.

Finally three years ago she was able to get back into her own classroom and she has flourished and, oh her students have as well. She does lemonade day, once a month where she brings in guest speakers like past students who have struggled with things and have overcome them, BYU athelets, Olimpians, Paraolympians, I Believe In You Runner, ETC. They discuss how life gives you lemons and how we need to make lemonade! Her students can earn points in her class from good behavior or turning in assignments on time and ther ways. They can buy candy or free dress passes or even duct tape the teacher to a chair or even pie her in the face. She has taken her math testing pass rates from the 6th Grade State average 40% up to her class is in the mid 70%. She works so much harder as a teacher than I do, every night she is prepping lessons and grading assignments. She truly goes the extra mile! She coaches the cross country and track running clubs at her school and is and Advisor for the Student Council!

Like I said at the beginning, I have been around some amazing, dedicated teachers in my 22 years but Becky Anderson, first researched what everyones favorite cake flavor was and figured out how to make a single cake with all of these different flavors in each individual piece and then cut and “took the cake” and served it, and fet it to each of her students and then cleaned up aftr them. The only thing I did was bought the cake!
She is amazing!”

-Jay Anderson

“Becky is a dedicated professional! Her drive and the endless hours she puts into this profession are evident in the relationships she has built with her students. 6th grade is a challenging year for students, and Becky brings out the best in them. Her innovative activities and teaching strategies help make an atmosphere that is both inviting and safe for each student. She greets the students every morning with positivity and kind words, starting their day out on the right foot. She has been a joy to watch, and I wish her many more years of success!”

-Jennifer

About Teacher Features on KSL NewsRadio

Teachers are the backbone of our community, and at KSL NewsRadio, we want to highlight the hard work they put in to help their students. 

Do you know a teacher that goes above and beyond? Nominate them today by letting us know how incredible they are, attach their photo, and they’ll have the chance to win a huge prize totaling over $1,000!  

Teacher Feature prizes are generously sponsored by the folks at Cyprus Credit Union, who are dedicated to honoring Utah teachers and uplifting the incredible ways that educators go above and beyond every day.