Latest news with #SchooloftheYear
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Taylorsville special education teacher named Educator of the Year by Discovery Education Awards
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah () — A teacher at Hartvigsen School has been named Educator of the Year by the Discovery Education Awards. Seyyed Sharifi is a special education teacher at Hartvigsen School in Taylorsville. He teaches post-high school students, aged 18 – 22, and educates them on life skills. He has previously been named Granite School District's 2024 Teacher of the Year. In a press release from Granite School District, they share some of the qualities that went into Sharifi being honored as Educator of the Year. 'Seyyed prioritizes trust and connection to ensure every student feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Recognizing that traditional instruction methods don't always meet the needs of students with diverse abilities, he brings creativity and technology into the classroom,' Granite School District shared in the release. Volunteers to assemble period kits for Utah students ahead of summer break Discovery Education Awards selects five teachers across the nation to be honored as their Educator of the Year. There are also awards for the District of the Year and School of the Year. Sharifi was honored this afternoon at the school. In an interview with ABC4, he shared his feelings about being the recipient of the award. He reflected on how winning this award was meaningful not only to him but to his family. 'For me, it's about my family's legacy. Both my mother and my father were teachers in Kabul, Afghanistan, and when they came here, they had to leave the profession behind,' Sharifi stated. 'It was a way to kind of heal that family lineage… It's kind of a sacred act to me, to teach.' Sharifi says his teaching method is focused on independence. He works with virtual reality equipment and hands-on projects to help educate his students on life skills. 'I try to cultivate independence — that's really the heartbeat of our classroom,' Sharifi said. 'What got me here is that, is just really empowering the students to live their lives to the fullest.' What are the different safety protocols in Utah schools? The Educator of the Year wasn't always an educator, though. Sharifi shared that his career began somewhere different, but he found his way to special education. 'I did sales for a long time, I made a lot of money doing that, but I wasn't able to sleep at night,' Sharifi said. 'This job has allowed me to provide for my family… for me, it's a noble way to earn a living.' For those considering a career like Sharifi's, he encourages whoever is interested to join him. 'We need more special educators. If you are thinking about special ed, come. It's a rewarding career. The kids are lovely,' Sharifi stated. Current Shepard Lane overpass on I-15 to close permanently for new interchange bridge McMahon says Harvard is no longer eligible for new federal research grants Taylorsville special education teacher named Educator of the Year by Discovery Education Awards 'Connection and belonging': South Salt Lake Mural Fest returning this weekend He missed the flight that killed 138 Now he's giving back in Vietnam Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL FRANCHISE GROUP AWARDED 2024 FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR BY THE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION
Tracey McCaghy and Steve Marszalek recognized at annual conference honoring entrepreneurs' outstanding efforts TROY, Mich., Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Franchise Association (IFA) has named Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC multi-unit franchisees the McCaghy/Marszalek Group, led by Tracey McCaghy and Steve Marszalek, its 2024 Franchisee of the Year. McCaghy and Marszalek, who own and operate six Goldfish Swim School locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts, were honored at the 65th IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas for being outstanding franchise owner-operators. The IFA Franchisee of the Year awards are given to the top franchisees from IFA member brands across industries from around the globe. "For the past 10 years, Tracey and Steve have stood out as exceptional Goldfish Swim School franchisees, seamlessly combining strategic expertise, hands-on leadership and an unwavering commitment to our core values," said Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. "Their dedication to excellence not only earned their Manchester, Connecticut, location the honor of 2024 School of the Year but continues to create a thriving, community-focused environment where children learn to be safer in and around the water. We are honored to celebrate their well-earned recognition as IFA Franchisee of the Year." In addition to its award-winning Manchester location, McCaghy/Marszalek Group's growing portfolio includes two Massachusetts schools in Braintree (2016) and Norwood (2018), and three additional Connecticut locations: Norwalk (2018), Stamford (2020) and Cromwell (2024). Under their hands-on leadership, enrollment at these locations consistently surpasses system averages, with its team teaching water safety and life skills to more than 7,000 children annually. "Franchisees of the Year represent the very best of franchising," said IFA President and CEO Matt Haller. "They embody the American Dream, create economic opportunity, serve their communities and show what it means to go into business for yourself, but not by yourself. We are proud to recognize Tracey McCaghy and Steve Marszalek with the highest honor IFA awards to franchisees, and we salute their tireless efforts to lift up all those they serve." The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees. Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children aged 4 months to 12 years, teaching children how to be safer in and around the water. Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Each school's No. 1 focus and main priority is always the same — educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water. Franchise opportunities remain available in California, Tampa, Dallas and other markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information on Goldfish Swim School and its franchising opportunities, please visit or call 248-801-1850. About Goldfish Swim School:Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Troy, Michigan-based Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children aged 4 months to 12 years. Classes are led by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly environment using a research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Since opening its first franchised location in 2009, the brand has grown to more than 185 schools in over 35 states and Canada, with an additional 160-plus in development. Goldfish is ranked No. 75 overall in Entrepreneur's 2025 Franchise 500® and has been recognized as the No. 1 swimming lessons franchise for nine consecutive years, was named to Franchise Times' Top Brand to Buy in 2024 and is rated as a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review for 2025. MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel TabacnicRachel@ 817-329-3257 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Goldfish Swim School Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Polam Hall nets 'School of the Year' award for inspiring love of tennis
A COUNTY Durham school has been honoured for being ace at inspiring pupils to play tennis. Polam Hall School, in Darlington, has been named 'School of the Year' at the Durham and Cleveland Tennis Awards. The award, backed by the Lawn Tennis Association, recognises the school's outstanding commitment and inclusive approach to the sport. Principal Kate Reid said: 'We are thrilled to receive this award. It is testament to the hard work that has gone into building the school's strong reputation for excelling at tennis and a wide range of other sports.' Mrs Reid praised the leadership of the school's Head of Sport and Technology, Craig Wilkinson, and his team in the PE department. 'They have created a real buzz around tennis in the school, enabling pupils who might otherwise have missed out on the sport to give it a go and find they enjoy it.' Mr Wilkinson added: 'Our approach to sport in the school is focused on driving up participation levels and getting as many pupils as possible involved, so we're delighted to be recognised with this prestigious award.' Polam Hall's commitment to tennis traditionally comes to an exciting climax in the last week of the summer term with a 'mini Wimbledon' event featuring tournaments for all year groups and staff, topped off with strawberries and cream being served from the canteen. The school, which is part of the Woodard Academies Trust, has also formed a positive partnership with New Blackwell Lawn Tennis Club, with the Darlington club allowing access to its courts for the school tournaments. One of the school's governors, Kate Heljula, provides additional volunteer coaching support, and games captains, Daciana Ceapa-Ionescu and Arthur Chinchen help with extra-curricular sporting activities. The school has teams from all age groups competing in local leagues and the two girls' teams in the senior school both made it to the Northern Regional Finals. Polam Hall was the only state funded school to reach the finals, competing against the best schools from Scotland, Cumbria and Yorkshire. In addition, an annual trip has been arranged for the past two years to take pupils to the Wimbledon championships, and there is an annual tennis outing to King's Priory School, in Tynemouth, which is also part of the Woodard Academies Trust. A tournament in the morning is followed by an afternoon on the beach. As well as winning the School of the Year title, Polam Hall pupil, Briony Heljula, was also congratulated on winning individual honours at the Durham and Cleveland Tennis Awards ceremony.
