Shae Bunker, Skyline High School’s vocal music and choir teacher, is one of nine educators who received this year’s 2024 Excel Award. The Excel Awards, which are facilitated and awarded annually by the Granite Education Foundation, are a series of awards given to nine classroom teachers and one school administrator within Granite School District.                                                

These awards are bestowed upon educators who impart a “legacy of leadership and learning” on students.

The process began last fall, when community members, students, parents and administrators submitted nominations. According to the Foundation, those nominated should be of a quality character and furthermore, demonstrate an ability to make a difference in the lives of students on a daily basis.  

During the winter, applicants who are interested in receiving the award, are then required to follow a rigorous application, evaluation, and undergo an observation process. This process is overseen by a 30-member selection committee comprised of community members, administrators, business partners and retired educators. Following the process, the committee determines which classroom teachers and school administrator will receive the Excel Educator Award. 

Those winning classroom teachers will then have the opportunity to apply for the Granite School District Teacher of the Year award, along with past Excel Award winners who are still current classroom teachers. The teacher who wins the coveted GSD Teacher of the Year Award will then represent Granite School District as their applicant for the Utah Teacher of the Year award.

 This year’s 2024 winners were awarded and recognized at the Excel Evening of Honors event, which included a dinner, videos highlighting the teacher’s accomplishments, a $1,000 check, and gifts from community sponsors. 

Prior to teaching. Bunker worked in the performing arts, including as a performer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a performer at the Utah Symphony and Opera. Bunker eventually transitioned to an instructor’s role, where she states she felt “more fulfilled.” For Bunker, part of the allure of being a teacher is getting to see her students grow. “I just love seeing people grow,” Bunker said. “Helping [students] see their growth, that’s learning.”

Bunker stated that the world of choir is all about analyzation, “it’s constant analyzing where they are and giving feedback.” Bunker explained before saying that sometimes this feedback process takes place in a group setting, or individually, but ultimately it is done for the purpose of helping students actualize their potential.

Bunker often utilizes modern technology in her teaching methods. “We have what’s called vocal parts tests where [the students] sing into their phone or their Chromebook, and they record themselves singing their part, but they do it in the group context so they don’t feel left out. I [then] listen to every single one of them, and I give them feedback on what they’re doing well first and what they can do to improve.”

Bunker feels passionately that group settings can be highly beneficial for the learning process, as it is often through peer feedback and collaboration that students can refine their skills, especially in the realm of the performing arts which often requires group harmony. 

“When they are invested in each other, they are not an island onto themselves, but they’re actually invested in each other and want their neighbor to succeed,” she said. “There’s just something magic that happens in learning that can help students reach beyond what they think their potential is.” λ