September 2012

Impressive Trends at SHHS

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 09:31

          In just the four years that Salem Hills has been in operation, the school has seen an impressive level of improvement in student ACT scores. In 2010, the first year all variable information was available, students at Salem Hills earned an average composite score of 21.3 on the ACT—approximately .5 points below the state average of 21.8. In 2011, the composite score grew to 21.4. However, testing in 2012 showed a sharp increase. The school topped the previous state average, and came in just below 22, with a composite score of 21.9. 

            In English, scores jumped from 20.8 to 21.6. Math scores showed an even bigger increase, topping out at 21.2, compared to 20.3 in 2010. Reading improved slightly, going from 22.4 to 22.7. Science scores also exhibited an impressive improvement, coming in at 21.8, compared to 21 in 2010. Salem Hills scored above the previous state average by nearly .25 points in all categories but math, where the averages were dead even.

            The results are surely indicators of a dedicated and driven administration and faculty who take their obligations as educators seriously. However, even more so, the trend is the result of outstanding individual students who were able to come from different places and backgrounds, and mesh into a fun-loving, but determined student body. 

 

Attributions
Ryan Palmer

SHHS Welcomes New Faculty

Submitted by wade.tischner on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 19:10

Meet Sarah Theurer! She will be taking on art classes for Salem Hills this year. She grew up in Massachusetts before moving to Layton, Utah. She graduated from BYU with a Studio Arts Degree with an emphasis in painting, as well as degrees in Art and Spanish Education. While attending BYU, Ms. Theurer was offered a job teaching art in Chile. After 4 months, she was hooked. She loves being involved with students and looks forward to giving them a chance to work with artists and media they have never seen before. In addition to teaching in Chile, Ms. Theurer has experience teaching at Saratoga Springs Elementary, along with various other schools and institutes in Utah. When she is not at school, Ms. Theurer loves being involved in anything outdoors: including running, rock climbing, and canyoneering. Welcome to Salem Hills, Ms. Theurer!

Lori Muir is new to the English Department this year. She teaches 11th grade English, along with 11th grade AP English and College writing. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Weber State, Mrs. Muir began teaching at Juab High School, where she remained for several years before taking time off to be at home with her kids. In 2010, she went back to teaching at Juab, along with taking on earning a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at UVU. In 2012, she completed her degree, and came to join us here at Salem Hills. Mrs. Muir loves being in the classroom, and has found teaching to be such a great fit for her. She loves the creativity she can bring into her curriculum. She says she is continually inspired by the energy and enthusiasm teenage students can bring to class every day.

 Ryan Palmer is from small town Utah—Blanding to be exact. He also joins the English team this year. Mr. Palmer graduated from BYU with a degree in English Education and a minor in Japanese. He has spent time working with students at both the junior high and high school level. Mr. Palmer was inspired to teach after taking several English courses at BYU in an attempt to brush up on writing skills before entering business school. He hasn’t looked back since, and says he can’t imagine doing anything else. Mr. Palmer loves working with students, and is always amazed at what they are capable of. Outside of class, Mr. Palmer loves to hunt, fish, or find some other way to get lost in the mountains.

 New to Salem Hills this year is Cash Williams. Mr. Williams graduated from Spanish Fork High School where he was heavily involved in agriculture and FFA. He graduated from Utah State in 2008 with a Degree in Ag. Education and a minor in Animal Science. Mr. Williams taught Ag. and welding at Timpanogos High School for 4 years before coming to Salem Hills. In 2011, Mr. Williams earned a Master of Ag. Extension Degree. When he has spare time, he likes to hunt, fish, farm, and raise horses. Mr. Williams’ favorite thing about teaching is getting students excited about agriculture and helping them develop the same passion that was instilled in him by his own high school Ag. teachers.

 Katie Andersen joins Team Skyhawk this year as a Math and Business Communications teacher. Mrs. Andersen studied Business Administration, Marketing, and Human Resources at Utah State. Through Utah State, Mrs. Andersen fulfilled an internship in Uganda, Africa. While in Uganda, she approved and issued loans as well as taught business classes. In December of this year, Mrs. Andersen will graduate from West Minster College, adding a Master of Arts and Teaching to her resume. In her limited spare time, she loves to play sports: including softball, volleyball and wakeboarding. Mrs. Andersen’s enthusiasm is a great addition to Salem Hills, and we are glad to have her here!