Hillside, Power Teachers Named Best of the Best

Two Farmington Public Schools teachers got the "Publisher's Clearinghouse" treatment Thursday, as they were honored among the district's Teachers of the Year. 

Hillside Elementary first grade teacher Nancy Dillon and Power Upper Elementary social studies teacher Erin Young were surprised by administrators, colleagues and members of their families during the afternoon presentations. Nominations for the annual awards were reviewed by a committee that includes administrators and past winners. 

Dillon, who started her career with the district at Fairview Early Childhood Center in 1992, also taught at William Grace and Gill Elementary Schools. In a nomination form, parents Mikki and James Hill wrote about her dedication to her students. 

"She always goes the extra mile, simply because she wants to," they wrote. 

Young has been a 6th grade teacher at Power since 1995 and currently chairs the School Improvement committee and the Social Studies department. She's the 6th grade camp coordinator and a member of the Power Technology Team. Colleagues Sheila Gappy and Blakely Elenbaas in their recommendation described Young as "hard working, compassionate, creative, kind hearted and dedicated to her profession". 

"Erin is dedicated to giving her students what they need to be successful as she goes above and beyond to make the necessary accommodations and differentiate for her students without thinking twice," they wrote. 

The district has not yet named the high school and middle school teachers of the year.