Salem Hills High School English teacher Lori Muir was named as the Utah English Language Arts Experienced teacher of the year by the Utah Council of Teachers of English. Muir, who has been teaching English for 21 years, said that she was pleasantly surprised to have won.
“I was shocked,” she said. “I just thought they were going to say that I was like a finalist or that I was nominated, but I was surprised to learn that it was the full award. There are so many other good teachers that I know just at our school, and I think, how could it be me instead of them? It was kind of a fun little discovery to learn that I had won.”
Muir said that she is also humbled by the award, and spoke about her reasons for getting into education. She said that initially, she pursued a career in education and English because she said it would allow her to use her creativity and have time with her family.
Being a teacher in the community she lives in has allowed her to be able to have all three of her children in her class. This is something that she said she is grateful for because tragedy struck her family, and it was teaching that got her through.
“My oldest had cancer and was in a wheelchair,” she said. “I taught him his junior year in AP language in 2017 and it was so fun to be able to see his personality because you don’t quite picture what school’s like for him fighting cancer and being in a wheelchair, but I was able to kind of witness what he was like in class and it was really rewarding. I loved every minute of it.”
Her son passed away that year due to a spinal cord tumor that left him paralyzed. His name was Quinton Muir.
“I’m very glad to have those memories with him,” she said. “It was really hard and I wasn’t sure what it would be like going back into the classroom after he passed, but all the students had been so kind. They decorated my classroom with letters about him and they did so many things. They were so willing to just kind of let me grieve and work through that and it turned out to be a blessing that I was teaching during that time to grieve. It turned out to be a great experience. It gave me some opportunities to share his story. It was actually something that I’m glad that I was doing. It wasn’t easy, but it was something that has turned out to be for the best I think.”
Muir’s ability to turn her trials into teaching moments is one thing that sets her apart. Colleague and fellow English teacher at SHHS, Kyle Minson added a few more reasons Muir was deserving of recognition.
“Lori has been my friend, mentor, and colleague for nine years,” Minson told Serve Daily. “She is a wonderful example of a caring and expert teacher! When I first met Lori the summer before I started working with her, she took time to help me get adjusted to the new school and new curriculum I would be teaching, which was something she did not have to do. She chose to take me under her wings and help me to find success, just like she does with her students each year. All those who come in contact with Lori understand and can feel the passion she has for her work. She truly cares about helping others learn.
“Lori is a leader in our school and also in our professional community. Many are the times when I’ve been with Lori as she is approached by other teachers who compliment her on her teaching, mentoring, and radiant goodness. She approaches each day as an opportunity to find new ways to make herself, and those around her, better. She’s a great example of teaching excellence and an even better friend. I’m so glad I get to work with her.”
On behalf of the community, Serve Daily congratulates Lori Muir on her award and thanks her for her continued service at Salem Hills High School.
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