A graduate student from Southern Utah University has been named Utah’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Sayre Posey, who teaches 8th-grade history at Northwest Middle School, was nominated for this award, the highest honor for teachers in Utah. She was recognized along with four other top nominees at a banquet dinner at the Utah State Capitol, where she received a $10,000 award. 
“From the beginning of the course I determined quickly that Sayre exhibited a variety of positive leadership skills,” said SUU’s Dr. Prent Klag, who taught Posey. “She was a great communicator, both spoken and written, demonstrated critical thinking and solving problems skills related to school law scenarios, and was well-versed on current trends and issues in education.”
Posey is known for her innovative and creative teaching methods. She has expressed that she likes to take a hands-on approach to learning history.
Posey also shares her love of learning with her students, and is willing to help them succeed. Last year, Posey’s students participated in the Salt Lake Regional History Day competition. The five students competed in the state contest, and one student won an award for third place.
“I could tell that Sayre [is] a great asset to Northwest Intermediate School in Salt Lake City,” says Dr. Klag. “I was not surprised when she was selected Teacher of the Year. I am confident that she will continue to contribute to her school and district and provide exemplary service and leadership.”
Posey is currently pursuing a Master’s of Education degree at SUU, and is working on a research study titled, “The Impact of Project-Based Learning on Student Attitudes Toward History.”
Author: Alora Bailey
Photos courtesy of SUU
Editor: Anna Mower
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