Marilyn Deniker, Riverside Elementary School
Feb 26, 2026, 1:18 PM | Updated: Mar 3, 2026, 12:03 pm
“I am honored to nominate Marilyn Deniker for this award. If it is given to only one teacher per month, there is no one more deserving.
Marilyn teaches a classroom composed entirely of students with multiple disabilities and significant behavioral challenges. Some are verbal, many aren’t. Many of these students have struggled in previous educational environments, and as a result have been moved into her classroom. On paper, some appear intimidating in terms of need and behavioral history. Yet she has never once expressed hesitation or concern about serving them. Instead, she welcomes each child with calm confidence and unwavering belief in their potential. She celebrates the small wins of each of her students in profound ways. They KNOW she believes in them.
Her consistency is extraordinary. She does not get rattled. She does not react emotionally. She shows up every single day with steady patience and quiet strength. In an environment where behaviors could easily dominate the day, she remains grounded. Her emotional regulation sets the tone for the entire classroom.
The results speak for themselves. Students who previously engaged in behaviors such as excessive swearing—sometimes over 100 times a day—have shown dramatic improvement to the point where those behaviors are nearly obsolete. These changes are not accidental; they are the direct result of her skill, structure, and deep understanding and unconditional love of her students.
Even more remarkable is the trust she builds with families. Parents who have come in feeling defensive, frustrated, or ready to challenge the district leave feeling heard, supported, and grateful. They trust her. They see her advocacy. They feel her care. That is rare.
What makes her exceptional is not just her competence; it is how she shows up every single day with high expectations of her students that she believes they can achieve, even when others doubt what is possible. She does not seek praise. She does not dramatize difficulty. She simply does the work, beautifully and consistently.
In a role that requires extraordinary patience, resilience, expertise, and heart, she goes above and beyond in all ways, every single day. She changes the trajectory of students who might otherwise continue to struggle. She brings stability to families who desperately need it.
If this award is meant to recognize the teacher who makes the greatest difference despite the most challenging circumstances, there is no clearer choice than Marilyn Deniker.”
-Kelly Wood
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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.
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