Happy Grateful Blessed with Tami Tran
Kids & Family
Principal Casey Pickett was chosen by her peers to receive the distinguished "Principal Rookie of the Year" for Davis County and was also awarded "Principal Rookie of the Year for Utah" by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals in July 2022!
This article was written about her in the Davis Journal: https://www.davisjournal.com/2022/07/07/405446/windridge-elementary-s-casey-pickett-is-principal-rookie-of-the-year
'"...Each year, UAESP recognizes principals who demonstrate excellence during the school year. Pickett just completed her third year at Windridge and said she focused on three areas that helped her win the award: The creation of a STEM lab, the school’s Platinum STEM designation and the incorporation of 17 sustainable development goals into STEAM education.
“For the STEM lab, we took apart a computer lab. There were two rooms that I opened up,” she said. “I got a lot of support from the Davis Education Foundation in creating this space for everyone to come and work on STEM or bigger projects.”
Stacy Williams, a third-grade teacher at Windridge, was presented with the Heidi Martin Mighty Heart Educator of Excellence Award in 2019 and given $10K to use at the school. She put that money toward the STEM lab to offer more engagement for students.
“I wanted a place that would be easy and hands-on for kids to be able to come and easily enjoy anything related to STEM,” Williams said. “It gives us the space and opportunities that are much more difficult to do in a smaller cramped classroom. Casey has always 100% supported this vision. She found ways for us to find more money and ideas to support STEM education at Windridge.”
Along with the STEM lab, Pickett organized the creation of an outdoor learning space with projectors and pads for the kids to sit on.
“We have a garden and we have a greenhouse and we have a composter, all of these things. It’s been so much fun,” Pickett said.
The Platinum STEM designation, earned through the Utah STEM Action Center, took a bit of time. With less than 20 schools in the state achieving the platinum-level classification, Pickett enlisted a committee of educators to help submit the application.
“The Utah STEM Action Center is such a great group to work with,” she said. “They really want you to be successful. They really help you through the process. I was able to make some connections with people that helped with my lab and my outdoor classroom, and they kind of all go together.”
Pickett asked teachers at Windridge to incorporate the 17 sustainable development goals into STEAM education. The school partnered with the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program for the STEAM upgrade. BTS helps teachers include art in the STEM curriculum so kids can learn through painting, theater, dance and music, in a variety of ways.
“I love it when teachers can be a little bit more creative and thoughtful about how they want kids to have intentional experiences that are service-oriented and help others and help our community and help our world,” she said.
Before taking the principal role at Windridge, Pickett taught elementary school at Boulton, Taylor and Oak Hills. She served as an assistant principal at Kay’s Creek and Oak Hills for three years, before moving to Windridge.
For the upcoming school year, Pickett will continue the focus on STEAM and work on literacy concepts and practices.
“We typically have great scores overall at Windridge, but we’re looking at data to find where kids have holes, especially since COVID,” she said. “We want to really zero in on what each child needs in their literacy journey.”'
In this episode, Casey brings Jodi Mills 5th grader teacher, Heidi Heiniger, a brand new 3rd grade teacher and Jill Mills, the school counselor.
They talk about their outstanding students, engaged parents and what they each bring to create personal relationships with each child in a way that creates respect, trust, and increased learning.
Curtis Koch & Brian McKenzie: Local Election Officials Davis County Clerk/Auditor’s Office, Safe & Secure Elections
Darin Brush: President & CEO at Davis Technical College, Community Leader, Mentor and Friend to All
Janell and Cyndi: Owners Barre Forte Studio, Planners, Professionals, Dynamic Duo
Tammy Wursten: Tennis Player Turned Pickle Ball Aficionado, Community Volunteer, aka Pickleball Pioneer
Dawn Ramsey: South Jordan Mayor, ULCT Past President, Board Member Extraordinaire
Cameron Diehl: Executive Director Utah League of Cities and Towns, Former ULCT Intern, Political Expert, Sports Enthusiast, Humble Genius
Rachel Brown Parry: aka ”Wonder Woman -Confidence Is as Confidence Does,’ Carson’s Mom Part II, Lover of All things Spooky & Ghoulish & Diet Coke & Sugar
Troy Wood: CEO Lakeview Hospital, Mountain Bike Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Musician Blue Stone Band, Dynamic Leader
Tyson Smith: CEO/Owner Reading Horizons- Where Learning Momentum Begins
Randy Elliott: Davis County Commissioner, Rancher, Baler, Passionate Public Servant
Brandon Howard: COO MotosAmerica, Former CEO Wingers & Ale House, Private Chef, Board of Directors DavisTech College
Maegan McFarlane: Instafreeze Meals, Business Partner, Wife, Mother
Karen Peterson: Utah House Representative for District 13, Former Leg. Affairs Director, Deputy Education Policy Advisor
Tim Roper: Davis Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Development, Clearfield City Councilman
Anna Crabb: Founder/Director at Stoneybrook Hollow Early Learning Studio
Wendy Haslam: Owner Old Grist Mill, Adored by Cleo, Great conversationalist
Ben McAdams: U.S. Congressman, Salt Lake County Mayor, Utah State Senator
Tom Haraldsen: Political Journalist, Editor- Davis Journal, Active Tweeter, Hopeless Romantic
Dale Allen: “Dump It Pro” Kaysville Resident, Kaysville Business Owner
Brett Anderson: Farmington Mayor, Former City Councilman, Attorney, Neighbor
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