Small town teachers, big time accolades

Out of 100 nominees from Southern Utah School Districts, Mindy Jacobs, math teacher at VES, was named Mathematics Educator of the Year (Grades K-6) for 2025 at the Southern Utah STEM AWARDS banquet hosted by SUU last Tuesday evening. Susan Esplin, third grade teacher at VES, was also recognized as the RUNNER UP Science Educator of the Year.

From left to right:

• Mindy Jacobs with her husband and daughters at the SUU hosted STEM banquet receiving her award.

• Miss Mindy with some of her fourth, fifth and sixth grade mathematicians in training. Note some of the students are holding class pictures to represent ALL of the students Miss Mindy has taught over the years. In true Mindy fashion, she credits the award and honor to her students.

• Susan with her third graders during one of her Friday STEM activities. The students were tasked with building a balloon powered car!