Herriman Journal | March 2021

March 2021 | Vol. 31 Iss. 03

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FALATEA FAMILY BRING COMPETITIVE SPIRIT TO HERRIMAN ATHLETICS

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

T

he state of Utah is no stranger to great sports families, from Krugers and Kaufusis to Bartons and Sewells. The Falatea family could be next in line.

Jamie and Charlie Falatea were both athletes (as well as high school sweethearts) at Alta High School. Jamie played for the Hawks’ basketball team, while Charlie played for the football team.

The two got married a year after graduation and started putting their “team” together, one kid at a time.

The two oldest, Deserae and Lealani, followed their mom’s footsteps onto the basketball court. Two years ago, the duo led East High to a 5A state championship. Deserae now plays for the Utah Valley University basketball team and Lealani is looking to add another state championship trophy to her collection—this time, for her new team of Herriman Mustangs.

The Falatea family moved into a new home in Herriman last year with a plan for their kids to continue attending East High.

Then COVID-19 came along.

“We weren’t initially planning on having the girls move schools, but then the pandemic hit and the earthquake hit, so we thought, man we really need to stick close together,” Charlie said.

And so Lealani and younger brother Michael enrolled at Herriman High.

Michael, a sophomore, earned a starting spot on the Herriman football team this fall. He was able to showcase his athleticism all over the field—playing defense, catching touchdowns, returning punts—on the way to being named to the All-Region team. Herriman Head Coach Dustin Pearce thinks he’s just getting started though.

The Falatea family moved to Herriman last year. Senior Lealani and Sophomore Michael play for the Herriman High girls basketball and football teams, respectively. (Photo Courtesy of the Falatea family)

“I fully expect Michael to get better and better next year. He has an opportunity to build on a really good year if he works hard during the off season. He’ll have a chance to play college football and get a good education,” he said.

Coaching Michael from the sideline was his dad Charlie, who got roped into helping out the Herriman coaching staff (de-

spite his best efforts).

“I always said that when he got to high school, I wasn’t going to continue coaching. Just let me be a dad in the stands. It didn’t happen that way,” Charlie said.

It took just a few conversations for Pearce to realize how Continued page 3

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Continued from front page valuable of an addition Charlie would be to the coaching staff.

“Just the way he spoke about the game, his knowledge…” Pearce said. “And I felt like he would maybe look back and regret not coaching his son during high school.”

Lealani meanwhile, was also able to team with a family member on the basketball team.

Her cousin Tessa Pan is a junior guard on the team.

“It’s been really great,” Lealani said. “It’s been the first time I’ve gone to school with my cousins. I love having her here.”

The Herriman girls basketball team finishd the regular season as the No. 1 seed in 6A with an 20-1 record. The Mustangs have been blowing out their region opponents by an average score of 68.7 to 41.2, fueled by an aggressive defense and a barrage of 3-pointers from the team’s many sharpshooters. Orchestrating it all is Lealani, who, like her mom, plays the point guard position.

She’s an ideal ball distributor with a high basketball IQ according to Jamie. “She just sees the court really well and knows how to use her teammates. She’s a great scorer but I think her biggest strength is that she knows how to get everyone involved,” she said.

While she has enjoyed her team’s streak of blowout victories, Lealani said she prefers closer matchups, a product of growing up in an extremely competitive household.

“We’re very competitive. All of our kids

are super competitive,” Charlie said.

When asked who is the better basketball player between herself and her older sister, Lealani begrudgingly admitted that Deserae still has the edge. “Hopefully, I will catch up to her one day,” she said.

The two will likely have a chance to go head-to-head in the coming years, though not one-on-one. Lealani, who is considered the No. 1 women’s basketball recruit in the state, is committed to play for BYU at the next level.

The chance to play just down the road from her older sister and just down the freeway from the rest of her family was a driving force behind Lealani’s decision to play for the Cougars.

That’s no surprise, given how the Falatea family have intertwined family and sports as they’ve raised their eight kids.

“We thought that getting our kids involved in competitive sports would help raise our kids, and we still live by that motto. We feel like competitiveness in sports helps us teach things to our kids that we’re not always going to be there to teach,” Charlie said.

Chief among those lessons is the importance of being there for family. In sports, that looks like 45+ members of the extended Falatea family (Charlie has 11 siblings) showing up to support a cousin at a Junior Jazz game. Or something as simple as getting everyone together to cheer on their family-favorite NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers. For the Falatea family, that support is what develops not just great athletes, but great kids. l

Above left: Michael Falatea carries the ball during a Herriman High football game this fall. (Photo courtesy of the Falatea family) Above right: Lealani Falatea stops for a mid-range floater in a game against Bingham. (Justin Adams/ The City Journals)

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March 2021 | Page 3

Distinguished Principal of the Year

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

W

hen Principal Joel Pullan was transferred from Oakcrest Elementary to Riverton Elementary in February 2020, he had no idea that just a few short weeks later the staff and students would be sent home to learn long distance for the rest of the year. The qualities that earned him the Distinguished Principal of the Year Award by the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals this year are the qualities that enabled him to successfully meet this unprecedented challenge.

“His ability to analyze the needs, whether it be academically, socially or physically, is his greatest strength,” said Theresa Christensen, who worked as an assistant principal to Pullan for two years. “He is always thinking one step ahead and planning for the future. Even in the most difficult situations, he has the ability to calm the situation, eliminate the emotion, discern the steps needed and move forward.”

And that’s what Pullan did, addressing, first his faculty, which was grappling with a sudden transition to distance teaching that was frustrating and difficult. He met with them frequently as a group to support them in the technical aspects of teaching online.

He met them in grade-level teams to get to know their strengths and challenges. He also checked in with them individually to see how they were doing emotionally.

“That surprised many of them,” Pullan said. “Many commented and expressed their gratitude to have a principal that, not just cared about the academics for kids and the educational growth but also cared about teachers who are providing that in a very difficult situation.”

Donna Filion, who previously taught at Oakcrest and is now a fifth grade teacher at Riverton Elementary, said Pullan is the best principal she’s ever worked for. She said he

Journals

Joel Pullan, Distinguished Principal of the Year.

(Photo courtesy of JSD.)

is never too busy to stop and listen to someone and is genuinely interested in what they have to say.

“He is a fantastic listener and mentor,” she said. “He has made me feel like I can accomplish anything and he has validated me. I love going to work. I love the challenges that he gives us, so that we can learn and grow and become better than we were the day before.”

Pullan said the most important skill he uses as a principal is “the ability to see in others what they can be and to appreciate the talents and abilities that they have now.”

“I believe that if I'm successful in any way, shape or form, it's because of the great people who are around me,” he said. “So, receiving this award is a credit to every teacher and team, every community and every student that I've worked with over the years.”

Pullan taught in the classroom for eight years before becoming principal at Herriman

Elementary for five years and then at Oakcrest for a little over seven.

As a principal, he strives to build positive relationships.

“When the relationship between the principal and teachers is positive, that goes all the way to the kids,” Pullan said. “When we have that strong relationship and confidence and trust in one another, then we can work together to do amazing things.”

Pullan also values collaboration to create an environment of learning for students, staff and administration.

“He was constantly pursuing more information and knowledge to better himself and his school,” Christensen said.

Tracy Davies, a teacher at Oakcrest, said Pullan was a great principal because he provided staff with growth opportunities.

“He encouraged us to become and do better,” she said. “The opportunities for professional development were given based on our interests and classroom needs. He listened. I feel this greatly contributed to relationship-building with faculty and staff.”

Pullan also builds relationships with students, greeting them in the hallways, the classroom or the playground with his signature thumb-wave.

“It has great meaning for us when we see each other,” Pullan said of his secret wave. “It symbolizes me being a friend and them being a friend and that we're in this together.”

Davies said Pullen values students’ input and has always been supportive of the student council’s ideas.

Pullan also values the input of leadership teams as they work together to improve student growth as well as their overall well-being.

Three years ago, there was a disturbing upward trend of suicide risk assessment re-

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quests at Oakcrest Elementary, and the leadership team identified student behavior as an impediment to emotional, social and academic success. Pullan introduced methods to improve students’ emotional health.

“Kids deal with trauma at different levels every day, and they bring that trauma every day to school,” Pullan said. “By recognizing the emotional state of kids when they come in, we are better able to support them socially and emotionally in that process and to help them feel that security and safety.”

Teachers began to greet each student by name before class, to make an assessment of their emotional state, to follow up on concerns throughout the day and to send students home with a personal comment or word of praise and an expression of excitement to see them again the next day.

“We received encouragement to really inquire about each student daily,” Davies said. “Before students step foot into our classrooms, we know how their basketball game went the night before, what they had for breakfast or how much they are looking forward to a family vacation next weekend.

We are well aware of their struggles as well, and are able to address them effectively.”

Pullan said within months of implementing these practices, suicide risk assessment requests dropped drastically.

“Kids understood that school was a safe place, that they had a friend there,” he said.

When this school year began with many feeling anxiety about attending school during a pandemic, the primary priority for Pullan and the staff at Riverton Elementary was to create a positive, predictable and safe environment for students. Pullan asked teachers to implement the morning and afternoon personal interaction routines that had been so successful at Oakcrest. l

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Changes coming to Herriman city code enforcement

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

I

magine not getting accepted to your preferred college because you once parked illegally in Herriman City. That actually happened to someone a few years ago and now the Herriman City Council is taking steps to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

The solution involves a transformation of the city’s municipal code from criminal enforcement to civil enforcement, at least for certain infractions.

“Traditionally, sworn officers go out, write a criminal citation for a parking violation which then initiates a case within our justice courts,” explained Deputy Police Chief Cody Stromberg. “Those individuals then show up, have to spend an afternoon in justice court… and they have to handle the case all the way up to a bench trial. We’re trying to do away with that process and make it more administrative.”

The proposed amendment would change the punishment for breaking certain city ordinances from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction that can be resolved by simply paying a fine.

“We’ve reduced the penalty level. Cities under state law are allowed to charge up to a Class B misdemeanor. That’s not in the city’s best interest… Infractions are more appropriate. You can still impose a fine,

but there’s no jail time,” said City Attorney Chase Andrizzi.

The change to civil infractions would also mean that code enforcement officers could be writing your next parking ticket, rather than a police officer. However, police officers would also still be able to issue parking tickets. That dynamic was a source of concern for Councilmember Steven Shields.

“This appears to be an exception to our regular practice of separating criminal behavior from civil violations. I’m concerned that there’s a dual role here. There’s not a clear separation,” he said.

Stromberg acknowledged that the police department has had the same concern and is working on potential solutions.

The discussion also included a proposed addition to city code that would regulate the practice of towing within the city.

“We’re trying to limit the circumstances of predatory towing that are happening in our city,” said Sgt. Greg Shaver, who recounted a story of a woman whose car was towed in the time that it took her to run groceries up to her apartment because she wasn’t allowed to park in front of the building.

“There are a lot of instances with our

tow companies where I feel they go beyond that point to actually punishing our residents,” he said. “Provo city had some massive incidents when it comes to their students who go to BYU. We’re trying to make sure that problem doesn’t escalate here with the amount of building that’s going on.”

Proposed regulations include requiring towing companies to have signage clearly displayed at the entrances to the private neighborhoods where they frequently oper-

ate, informing residents of the parking rules as well as providing contact information for their office.

“We’re just asking our towing companies that contract with our HOA’s to follow good moral rules and not take advantage of people,” said Shaver.

After receiving some feedback and requests for changes from the city council, the code amendment is expected to come back to the city council for adoption. l

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What’s your legacy?

Bee-coming the difference to save pollinators

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ative pollinator populations are in decline and a team of high school students is enlisting the public’s help to save bees, butterflies and other natural pollinators.

“It's an ever-growing problem that just needed a solution to help the pollinator,” Kyana Trane said. “We’re trying to get people more aware that they're important and that they're not as scary as they may seem.”

Kyana, her sister Donna, Emma Davis, Lowell Saign, Kate Watson and Zachary Watson have been studying the plight of pollinators over the past four years as part of various school projects at Mountain Heights Academy, which they attend virtually.

The team is now focused on educational outreach and providing resources to encourage community members to be part of their project, which they’ve titled “Bee-coming the Difference.”

These high school students developed an elementary school curriculum that clears up myths and misinformation about bees, explains their important role and enlists kids to help protect them. They provide schools with a bucket of flowers for the school yard and a packet of seeds for each child to plant at home to make bees feel welcome.

The team encourages everyone to plant wildflowers and garden plants that attract pollinating insects. According to the data they’ve collected, this simple gesture can have a positive effect on pollinator populations. Last year, each of the students planted a home garden and grew wildflowers in their yard. Because MHA is an online school, team members live in different areas—from Sandy to American Fork to Uintah Basin—and were able to collect data in a variety of environments.

“The team collected a bunch of data over the summer about different pollinators that they found in the different gardens,” said MHA science teacher and team coach Amy Pace. “So, we have data about the number and the types of all the different pollinators for both types of environments, urban and rural.”

Donna and Kyana, who live in an agricultural area of Great Basin, collected data on their family’s farm.

“We usually grow alfalfa, so we'll see tons of pollinators there that help our crop,” Donna said.

Their efforts on the project inspired their family to open a conservation on their farm to protect pollinators. While that is a great outcome of the project, Pace insists that even a small flower patch can make a difference.

“Everybody, whether you're in a rural area or an urban area, can do your part to encourage native pollinators, just in your yard or in your neighborhood,” she said. “It doesn't require a huge effort to just have some flowers.”

The team created a website at science86.

wixsite.com/bee-coming, to explain their project and solutions. There are links to the school curriculum, information about what plants will attract certain pollinators and a data log where community members can contribute their own data to help track pollinator populations.

The website also provides a file for printing a 3D nesting box, which the team is encouraging community members to print and place around their homes and businesses to provide a place for endangered pollinators to nest.

This winter, the students experimented with various building materials to make nesting boxes with different sized holes for pollinators to burrow in. They created several designs but decided the 3D printed design is the simplest way for anyone with access to a 3D printer, commonly available at schools and public libraries, to quickly and easily print a box for their yard.

“It's as simple as just hanging up this little native pollinator house with little holes in it, that the bees can go in,” Pace said. “That provides a huge resource for the bees, to be able to have a place to live and to make it over the winter, because without those homes they die.”

Donna believes the more people who are aware of the problems and solutions affecting pollinators, the more of a difference they can make to their survival.

“If a lot of people are really willing just to simply plant flowers or make a nesting box or just reduce the use of pesticides or the threats to pollinators and just, ultimately, be aware of what we can do to help, they can survive,” Donna said.

The students submitted their project to the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a nationwide competition that challenges students and their teachers to creatively use STEM skills to address a challenge in their community. They were chosen as one of 75 semifinalist teams to receive $15,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note20.

Team coach Lora Gibbons said MHA has always supported students entering these types of contests, even before it was profitable. When their teams do earn award money, it is invested back into the program. The 3D printers used to print nesting boxes for this year’s project were purchased with the winnings of the school team that was a finalist in last year’s Samsung competition.

“When we receive funds, it allows us to beef up our programs, and it allows us to get supplies that then continue to allow students to be active participants,” Gibbons said. “We pride ourselves on providing opportunities for our students to have in-action opportunities, where they get to be active participants in solving a problem.” l

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Growing Together District Update

New Jordan Virtual Learning Academy • Three new virtual schools will open for 2021-22 school year: • Kings Peak High • Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle • Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary • The new schools will offer all K-12 students a choice in learning and personalized instruction with daily teacher interaction.

• For more information and to register your student today visit: connect.jordandistrict.org

Get Creative at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy • Majestic Elementary Arts Academy in West Jordan is offering all K-6 students a new choice in education for the 2021-22 school year. The school will focus on Instrumental Music and Visual Arts as part of your child’s daily classroom instruction.

• We are enrolling students now. All students inside or outside District boundaries are welcome to apply. Find out more and register at majestic.jordandistrict.org

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is Back • West Jordan High School will be offering IB courses beginning in the 2021-22 school year.

• IB courses support academic achievement at the very highest level.

• Sophomores are invited to consider the IB program and all juniors can participate.

• For more information visit: ib.jordandistrict.org

Listen to stories from the Superintendent on his podcast | Subscribe today @ supercast.jordandistrict.org HerrimanJ ournal.com

March 2021 | Page 11

Send your preschooler to high school

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

D

o you want to send your child to a preschool that boasts enthusiastic teachers, low teacher to student ratios and enriching learning activities? Then send your child to high school.

Every high school in Jordan District houses a community preschool as part of their Early Childhood Development program. At Mini Sentinels Preschool at Mountain Ridge High School and Mini Mustangs Preschool at Herriman High School, high school students, with support from school faculty, plan and teach the daily learning activities that prepare kids ages 4 and 5 for kindergarten.

“We are extremely lucky to have these creative students who have new ideas for activities and that want to be there,” said Kristi Johnson, director at Mini Mustangs.

“The preschool program is an opportunity for our high school students to get handson time to actually practice their teaching skills to help students decide if teaching is right for them.” Johnson is a product of the program; as a high school student at Bingham High School, she taught in the Mini Miners preschool program.

Mini Sentinels director Katie Trump said the enthusiastic teenagers make great preschool teachers.

“They have a lot of energy with the kids and they have really cool ideas,” Trump said. “Especially at this point in the year, I've kind of stepped back a little bit and my high schoolers run the preschool.

They do a really great job.”

Because of the number of students taking the course, high school-based preschools offer low student to teacher ratios—usually between one teacher to three students to as low as 1:1.

“The kids get a lot of individual attention and [the high schoolers] really get to know the kids,” Trump said.

The preschool programs also have access to all the resources of a high school which allows for unique enrichment activities and mini field trips. At HHS, the onsite police officer is a frequent visitor to the classroom as is Principal Todd Quarnberg, who reads stories to the kids regularly and dresses as Santa for a special Christmas visit. Preschoolers exercise with the school mascot and they listen to the school choir sing. They learn about music from the band and orchestra students and about dancing by joining the dance classes. They take a tour of the cafeteria to sample the cookies and even explore science as they cook with culinary students.

“The whole school loves our Mini Mustangs and is very supportive of it,” Johnson said. “When they say it takes a village to raise a child—I've seen that at Herriman High School because everybody's so

Page 12 | March 2021

supportive of each other's programs. Herriman [high school] is family and we really try and take care of each other.”

At MRHS, students use their talents to entertain the preschoolers with magic shows and ASL-signed carols.

Several of the young faculty members at HHS and MRHS bring their children to the high school-housed preschool and childcare lab. HHS business teacher Randall Kammerman loves the convenience of childcare and preschool for his children in the school building. His kids look forward to theme days, movie Fridays and “dancing like crazy people in the wrestling room and bouncing off the walls.”

“The amount of fun things that they do and get to bring home is way more than I could ever come up with myself,” Kammerman said.

ASL teacher Tawny Bowman recently returned from maternity leave and having the childcare lab just down the hall from her classroom allows her to continue nursing her baby. Her older daughter leaves the childcare lab twice a week to attend Mini Mustangs.

“I love being able to have my children close while also knowing they are being taken good care of and having fun while learning all at the same time,” Bowman said. “The workers do an amazing job and keep me up to date on what's going on with my children and make me feel like leaving them is safe, which is a huge deal, especially as a working mom.”

HHS chemistry teacher Jessi Morton-Langehaug said her daughter, who is now 7, still talks about the high school teachers she had at Mini Mustangs.

“High schoolers have a lot more energy and are usually more creative and less burnt-out than a veteran teacher,” she said.

“They create fun activities and there is always a lot of action.”

The preschools are not just for children of school employees; anyone can apply.

Registration for the 2021-22 preschool session in all six high schools in Jordan District is now open.

Classes are held for 2 hours and 15 minutes Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/ Thursday.

For more information about Mini Mustangs, visit the link on the school website or email Kristi.Johnson@jordandistrict.org.

For more information about Mini Sentinels, visit the link on the school website or email Katie.Trump@jordandistrict.org.

For more information on Silver Pups Preschool, email Erin.Dea@jordandistrict. org, call Riverton High School or clink the preschool link on the RHS website. l

Preschoolers go on a safari hunt through the business department at Herriman High School in 2019. (Randall Kammerman/HHS)

Preschoolers make arts and crafts during their time at the Mini Sentinels preschool at Mountain Ridge High School. (Photo courtesy Mountain Ridge High)

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Herriman City Journal

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CHAMBER NEWS Ribbon Cutting – Slim Chickens Welcome Slim Chickens to the neighborhood. It all started with….a tender and a sauce. Slim Chicken’s mission is simple, to make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only the freshest ingredients, served in a friendly atmosphere where people can relax and feel at home. They are located at 5167 W. Anthem Park Blvd, Herriman.

Women in Business is offering hybrid meeting options. We learned from Curtis Swenson, The Thought Coach in February and look forward to meeting on March 16. Check out the website for more information.

Our monthly after-hours networking event is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at Delton Bowling in Riverton. This starts at 4:00 and the cost is what you personally order. All are welcome to attend.

Coming soon is the teacher appreciation luncheon. We will be honoring one teacher from each school in Bluffdale, Herriman and Riverton. We are looking for sponsors for the event and donations to the teacher swag bags. We honor about 25 teachers each year.

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The Mountain Ridge drill team doubled its size from year one to year two. (Photo courtesy of Blaikly Lever)

Mountain Ridge Drill claims region championship

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

I

n just its second year of existence, the Mountain Ridge High drill team took home the region championship trophy.

“To see these girls who had everything going against them, to come out on top was such a great feeling as a coach,” head coach Blaikly Lever said.

This year, the team had to overcome two hurdles: the challenges of being an extremely young program and of course, COVID-19.

In its inaugural year, the Mountain Ridge drill team had just 11 girls.

“Because it’s such a huge time commitment, and such a competitive sport, it was hard for people to want to leave nearby high schools to join a coach they didn’t really know. That first year, those 11 girls really put trust into each other as the program,” Lever said.

Despite their small numbers, they performed well in their first year, which Lever said helped to attract more girls to the program in year two. They ended up nearly-doubling their numbers, from 11 to 21.

There was cause for a lot of positivity when that team emerged from auditions last March. Then COVID-19 hit the United States, throwing this year’s season into doubt.

“We started out not knowing if we’d have a season,” Lever said. “With drill team, it’s an all year sport. We have team auditions in March then practice all summer long. We perform at football games in the fall then our season starts in November and goes through February. They don’t really get a break. For a lot of these girls, they didn’t know if they’d get to do the one thing they do all year.”

Luckily, the team was able to practice during the summer (wearing masks the whole

HerrimanJ ournal.com

time). In the fall, they were able to perform during halftime of all but the last football game of the season. For their regular competitions, however, COVID-19 made a big impact.

“Drill team relies heavily on spectator support,” Lever explained. “It’s two and a half minutes of intense cardio. They rely on those cheers. It was really hard the first competition [without it].”

In the absence of a raucous crowd to hype them up, Lever said her team found ways to cheer one another on both before and during their performances. That’s just one example of how the trials of this year forced the team to come together and rely on one another.

Leading the team in that regard were seniors Chloe Burt (team president), Kiana Irvine and Alli Jenson (co-captains).

“When we learned about COVID, they were so positive. Some of the girls were kind of sad throughout the year, but my three seniors really stepped up and helped the team find that fight and drive,” Lever said.

The team’s reliance on one another led them through a successful season, culminating in a tie for the top score at their regional meet.

“This season was so rewarding to see them rise above those hardships. Honestly these girls had the most successful season I’ve seen from any drill team. I can’t wait to see where this program goes,” Lever said.

Tryouts for next year’s drill team will take place March 22 and 23. Those interested in trying out can find more information on the school’s website. l

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Herriman City Journal

Assistant principal of the year is a role model for students, colleagues, Latinos

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Y

ajaira Martinez’s inspiring story began when she was a failing student, who didn’t learn to read until the third grade and who thought she wasn’t smart. What she has learned since then about education and possibilities—as a student, an educator and a Latina—is what earned her the praise and respect of students, parents and colleagues, and this year’s Assistant Administrator of the Year Award, given by the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals.

“Yajaira holds all the values of a competent and successful leader,” said Janae Young, a teacher at Bluffdale Elementary. “She has superb communication skills, is dependable, has initiative, uses discretion when needed, can adapt to difficult situations and works with a high value of professionalism. She is warm, has a supportive nature, works well with others, and respects others. She definitely deserved the vice principal of the year award.

She is an inspiration of what a true educator and administrator should be.”

It was the influence of two of her high school teachers that opened Martinez's eyes to claim a future she never thought could be hers.

She went to college and became a teacher so that she could do the same for other kids.

“I just want to be that example to kids that don't feel like they have a way out or a way to break the cycle,” Martinez said. “I just want them to be able to look at me and relate to me and see someone that looks like them, and see that we can be successful, and that school and education is the key.”

Martinez began her career as a teacher at David Gourley Elementary in Kearns, where many of her Hispanic students were struggling.

As she shared her own experiences and successes, her students were motivated to meet the high expectations she set for them. She noticed a big improvement, especially in her Hispanic students’ attitudes about education.

Their parents also began to be more involved in their children’s education and more comfortable volunteering in the classroom, knowing Martinez understood them, linguistically and culturally.

“I noticed what a difference I was making in the classroom and I just thought to expand from there, if I can,” Martinez said. “If I can make a difference for 36 fifth-graders, what would it be like for an entire school, to be that role model for kids that look like me or that have struggled in school?”

Martinez currently splits her time as assistant principal at Terra Linda Elementary in West Jordan and Bluffdale Elementary in Bluffdale, where she takes a caring, individualized approach to motivate students.

“I think her biggest strength is her ability to build a strong rapport and relationships with students,” Terra Linda Elementary Principal Karen Gorringe said. “She's just incredible and very relatable to the students. She's so genuine and humble.”

When a fourth grader was feeling anxiety

HerrimanJ ournal.com

Yajaira Martinez, Assistant Administrator of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Yajaira Martinez.)

about coming to school this year, Martinez invited the student to spend a few minutes with her each morning until she felt ready to go to class.

“She was a friendly face for my daughter to check in with every day until her anxieties were lessened,” said the girl’s mother. “She was so encouraging and supportive—for me, as a mom, and also for my child, as a student.

She checked in on my daughter during school and messaged me to let me know how she was doing.”

Another parent, Samantha Estrada, also gets regular, reassuring texts about how her two special needs sons are doing when Martinez checks on them in their classrooms or chats with them in the cafeteria or at recess.

“She's always communicating with parents a lot about how their kids are doing,” Estrada said. “She's so nice with the kids. They love her a lot. I'm so happy my boys go to that school because of her. She is always there for my kids.”

Estrada appreciates that Martinez is willing to provide translation and support at school meetings.

“She is always there with me, helping resolve all my questions to get the best IEP for my kids,” she said. “Whenever I need her, she's always there by my side.”

Estrada said Martinez gives that same personalized attention to everyone.

“She is always willing to help everybody,” Estrada said. “She’s always there for every single parent.”

One of Martinez’s favorite parts of her job is talking with students, especially those who’ve been sent to her office.

“In their minds they are the bad kids, the troublemaker and then they've almost taken on that role,” Martinez said. “So being able to really get to know them and talk to them and have them believe in themselves as something else besides that, that's my highlight—being

able to change those behaviors or that motivation in school.”

When a new student was sent to her office for behavior problems, he thought he was in trouble. Martinez just listened, empathized and invited him to come talk with her anytime.

“He was amazed that she cared that much,” said Shandi Owen, the boy’s teacher.

Her colleagues appreciate that Martinez is an exceptional role model for struggling students.

“She has accomplished much in her life and she fought against all the odds to get an education,” Owen said. “She is helping give all students encouragement and the will to work hard and accomplish their goals in education and life.”

Martinez utilizes her position to help Latino students and parents feel valued. At Terra Linda, where 38% of students are Latino, she invites middle school students from Latinos in Action to provide support and mentorship to young Latino students, she helps Spanish-speaking parents feel welcome in the schools by translating when needed, and she connects refugee and homeless families with community resources. She also serves on the Jordan School District BIPOC Diversity Advisory Committee.

As assistant principal, Martinez is also an example and mentor to teachers. Her colleagues said she is approachable, easy to talk to and happy to provide assistance or resources to make their jobs easier.

“She holds high expectations for herself and those around her and encourages us to grow and improve,” said Shelly Lloyd, a curriculum coach at Terra Linda Elementary. “She listens to our suggestions and considers them when making decisions.”

Martinez regularly observes teachers and provides feedback, always including comments of praise in addition to suggestions for improvement. She also occasionally leaves

notes of encouragement and validation for teachers.

Young was just starting her second year of teaching when Martinez first stopped by her classroom to observe.

“She didn't say much when she was in my class, but what she left for me on my desk was exactly what I needed,” Young said. “She wrote me a little inspirational note that I hold dear to my heart. She gave me that little reassurance that I was meant to be a teacher.”

Young is inspired by Martinez’s approachable and positive manner.

“I don't think that I have ever heard a negative thing come out of her,” she said. “She is always looking at the brighter side of things.

No matter the situation, she will always lead with positivity.”

Martinez is also a great resource for teachers who want to understand cultural differences and the reason for the beliefs and behaviors of their Latino students and their parents. She suggests adjustments to instruction, context or wording that would make it easier for students with a different vocabulary background to understand.

District Culture and Diversity Specialist Yan’tu Barber said just having Martinez as a co-worker can influence teachers to see their students of color in a different way.

“Yajaira has one of the most amazing personal stories ever,” Barber said. “And that gives the staff inspiration that, I might have a kid that's a little rough right now or maybe not reading at grade level or maybe not as successful as I think they should be, but it doesn't mean that I should give up on this kid.

It doesn't mean I should lower expectations for this kid. I've still got to continue to push this kid, because one day, this kid may turn out to be the next Yajaira Martinez!”

When Gorringe retires at the end of this school year, Martinez will replace her as the principal at Terra Linda Elementary.

Estrada was thrilled with the news.

“I’ve never met a principal like her,” Estrada said. “I know she's going to help more families.”

As a full-time principal, Martinez plans to continue motivating students, supporting teachers and encouraging more diverse representation in parent volunteers, professional learning committees and the school community council.

Bluffdale Elementary Principal Cindy Tingey is confident that Martinez will do well in her new position.

“I believe what makes her a really great administrator is that she is a genuine individual,” Tingey said. “She speaks her mind in a kind way and there is no speculating or reading between the lines. What you see is what you get and what we get is a talented, compassionate and student-centered individual that only wants to make those around her better.” l

March 2021 | Page 21

Recreation opportunities abound for southwest residents

Chair Steve DeBry Salt Lake County Council District 5

2020 was certainly a year of many changes and a year where life wasn’t “normal.” As the pandemic hit, we all made adjustments and many residents discovered the amazing amenities we have in our own backyards. As the weather got warmer, our outdoor recreation opportunities were used in record numbers.

For several years, Salt Lake County has invested in having parks, open space, and a vibrant trail system. We have great amenities in our own district. You have visited Wardle Fields in Bluffdale with its large splash pad and climbing amenities. A new park is scheduled to open in 2022 in the western part of South Jordan. This park and will be an incredible amenity to residents of Salt Lake County. Bingham Creek Park will eventually be a 160-acre park. Phase 1 will have multi-purpose fields, a playground, walking paths, a disc golf course, restrooms, and parking.

Funding for this project comes from the ZAP bond and a partnership with the City of South Jordan.

As summer came, people headed to the mountains to hike our trails. Many are familiar with the trails in Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon; but did you know we have a trail system in Rose Canyon in the Oquirrhs? Trails are open to Hiking, Equestrian, and Mountain Biking Users. And if you want to stay closer to home you can walk the Jordan River Parkway. This 45-mile system

in Salt Lake County has been beautified by a collaborative effort of the County, State, and Municipalities. I’m grateful these entities wisely invested over the years in these trails.

The County Council is working hard to enhance trail opportunities around Butterfield Canyon. We are currently taking the first steps to build a trail system that generations will enjoy.

The JL Sorenson Rec Center in Herriman might be the largest and feels like the busiest Rec

Center in the County. I know there is a need for another Rec Center in the southwest part of the valley and am hopeful if voters approve the next ZAP bond that we can make that a reality.

I love attending my grandchildren’s Jr Jazz basketball and soccer games at our County facilities. While COVID has ruined the basketball season this year – you can count on seeing me on the sidelines next year cheering on every participant.

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Like a mother in a Disney movie, my cell phone died inexplicably. Well, not inexplicably. I dropped it in the toilet.

I was wearing jeans for the first time in seven months and had the phone in my back pocket when it promptly fell into the commode. My phone, not my back pocket.

There’s a universal response when you drop your phone in liquid; you reach in and grab the damn thing. It could be submerged in molten lava or boiling oil; you will instinctively reach for the phone at the expense of ever using your hand again.

Snatching it up, I screamed several unprintable words and resorted to 15 minutes of “No, no, no, no, no!” I shook my phone, blew in it, prayed over it and dashed home to dump it in a bowl of rice. (A robot on Mars can send information to NASA but I have to submerge my phone in rice because it got wet.)

I thought, this would make a great Instagram post and frantically looked for my phone so I could take a picture of my phone sitting in a bowl of rice.

But I was phoneless. I reached for my phone nonstop. I absently grabbed the TV remote, trying to scroll through Tik Tok. I picked up my computer mouse to check the time. I kept patting my leggings where my cell phone used to be, frisking myself like some weird felon.

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I realized I’m obsessed with how many steps I walk. I’m preoccupied with social media. I’m dependent on my phone to give me instant info. If I wanted to order from Amazon, I had to go into ANOTHER ROOM and use my computer.

After 24 hours, I turned on my phone.

Nothing.

Minutes later, I was kicking in the door at my cell phone company, begging them to fix my phone. They know me well because, having been bitten by a radioactive clutz, I break my phone often. But this time, they just shook their head and called the time of death.

Then someone suggested I contact

Simple Fix in West Jordan, saying they work miracles. Miracles sounded pretty good, but they couldn’t look at my phone for several days.

Several days without a phone? Impossible! What would I listen to while walking my dog? Who was Scam Likely going to call? What if Samantha Bee texts me about a job? How would I waste hours of my time doing something unnecessary?

The typical cell phone weighs four or five ounces but after a day without my phone, I felt weightless. After two days I could talk to my husband without furtive glances at my phone. After three days, I didn’t miss playing Words with Friends.

Is this what life is supposed to feel like?

I swore when I got my phone back, it wouldn’t control me anymore.

Then I got my phone back. I listened to all the podcasts, played all the games, bought everything on Amazon and beat my family at Words with Friends. I ignored my husband, tuned out the world in general and scrolled endlessly through social media platforms.

The lesson here should be turn off your phone and interact with the real world. But what I learned was I need to buy cargo pants with dozens of secure pockets so my phone will never fall into the toilet again.

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March 2021 | Page 23

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March 2021 | Vol. 31 Iss. 03

FREE

FALATEA FAMILY BRING COMPETITIVE SPIRIT TO HERRIMAN ATHLETICS

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

T

he state of Utah is no stranger to great sports families, from Krugers and Kaufusis to Bartons and Sewells. The Falatea family could be next in line.

Jamie and Charlie Falatea were both athletes (as well as high school sweethearts) at Alta High School. Jamie played for the Hawks’ basketball team, while Charlie played for the football team.

The two got married a year after graduation and started putting their “team” together, one kid at a time.

The two oldest, Deserae and Lealani, followed their mom’s footsteps onto the basketball court. Two years ago, the duo led East High to a 5A state championship. Deserae now plays for the Utah Valley University basketball team and Lealani is looking to add another state championship trophy to her collection—this time, for her new team of Herriman Mustangs.

The Falatea family moved into a new home in Herriman last year with a plan for their kids to continue attending East High.

Then COVID-19 came along.

“We weren’t initially planning on having the girls move schools, but then the pandemic hit and the earthquake hit, so we thought, man we really need to stick close together,” Charlie said.

And so Lealani and younger brother Michael enrolled at Herriman High.

Michael, a sophomore, earned a starting spot on the Herriman football team this fall. He was able to showcase his athleticism all over the field—playing defense, catching touchdowns, returning punts—on the way to being named to the All-Region team. Herriman Head Coach Dustin Pearce thinks he’s just getting started though.

The Falatea family moved to Herriman last year. Senior Lealani and Sophomore Michael play for the Herriman High girls basketball and football teams, respectively. (Photo Courtesy of the Falatea family)

“I fully expect Michael to get better and better next year. He has an opportunity to build on a really good year if he works hard during the off season. He’ll have a chance to play college football and get a good education,” he said.

Coaching Michael from the sideline was his dad Charlie, who got roped into helping out the Herriman coaching staff (de-

spite his best efforts).

“I always said that when he got to high school, I wasn’t going to continue coaching. Just let me be a dad in the stands. It didn’t happen that way,” Charlie said.

It took just a few conversations for Pearce to realize how Continued page 3

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