They say a picture is worth a thousand words and when you add beautiful illustrations to a book, you open up a new world of adventure and learning for young children. For many, picture books are the first introduction to the world of literature. 

 This week we have a special guest, award winning author and Canyons parent Emily Inouye Huey. We also hear from Mariah Wall – Canyon’s Elementary Library Coordinator and Karen Kiu – A Canyons parent with a passion for reading. They discuss Huey’s books ‘Beneath the Wide Silk Sky’ and her picture book ‘Wat Kept Playing – The Inspiring Story of Wataru Misaka and His Rise to the NBA.’ They also discuss the importance of accurately portraying various cultures in books for young students.

Canyons Teachers are known for going above and beyond. They are dedicated to their students in the classroom and after school, spending extra time to ensure they succeed and supporting them in their extra-curricular activities. Teachers are the profession to teach all other professions. This week, Alta High mathematics teacher Kevin Clyde was named as the 2024 Canyons District Teacher of the Year. In this episode of Connect Canyons, hear from two former District Teachers of the Year – Emma Moss and Max Edington who share their insights having held the year-long title – and their advice to Mr. Clyde as well as other educators.

Ever wondered what school would be like if history lessons were as engaging as your favorite podcast? Well, pack your earbuds because we're heading to Union Middle School where Mr. Schlesinger and his students, Zander Frisbey and Hailee Warner, are turning the classroom on its head. On a special mobile visit, we uncover the inspiring story behind Union Weekly — a podcast that's not just for grades, but for sparking curiosity and connecting the school community.Join us as we share how Mr. Schlesinger’s dynamic teaching methods are preparing students for real-world problem-solving, and how our podcasters are mastering the art of communication, one episode at a time.

Virtually every U.S. household has a streaming device, and Americans spend more than three hours a day streaming digital media, or 21 hours a week. Add to that the $6.5 billion spent in 2022 on movie tickets and it's easy to understand why the film industry is such a big draw for those looking to make a career out of movie making.

In Canyons School District, we work to provide students with opportunities to gain practical experiences in the fields they're interested in, which is the impetus behind the District’s 14-year-old film festival. On the latest episode of the Connect Canyons podcast, we learn about how the film festival got its start and where it is now more than a decade later.

It’s down to the wire for this year’s March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments and the women’s teams are getting as much attention, if not more, than the men’s this year. We sit down with two of Canyon’s head girls basketball coaches to talk about why they think there has been an uptick in interest in women’s sports. We also hear how they work with the young women on their team to not only flourish on the court, but to reach for their dreams in every aspect of life. From physical toughness to the capacity to develop strategies, these girls are learning life lessons as they shoot for three and represent their schools.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun, intellectually challenging way for your kids to spend their summer, or you’re a high school student desiring to retake a course or get a jump your studies for next year, Canyons School District offers a rich variety of summer learning opportunities for students of all ages. In this episode of Connect Canyons, we talk with Amy Boettger, the administrator who oversees Canyons Virtual Academy and CSD’s Community Education programs. Parents: this episode is for you!

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said – “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

 When it comes to our growing world of technology, women continue to work to bridge the gap in the tech field. According to a recent study in Forbes, women hold 26-point-seven percent of tech-related jobs across the country. That number was at 22-point-four percent back in 2019, and when you consider we faced a three-year pandemic in-between that’s a decent amount of growth but we want to see more.

 In this episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with four of the women working within the District’s tech departments, we hear their experiences getting involved in technology, and their advice for Canyons students looking to follow in their footsteps. We also hear from two Canyons students who have their sights set on a future in the world of technology.

Our everyday vocabulary is peppered with mottos and witticism about food. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, as cool as a cucumber, like two peas in a pod, the list goes on. Aside from the biological need for food, we incorporate it into our lives in a number of ways. Structuring our days around meals, watching series about cooking or baking. There are entire sections and libraries dedicated to recipes and nutrition.

 March is National Nutrition Month and research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement. On a new episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from Emily Jenkins, registered dietitian with Canyons Nutritional Services to take a look into the hard work that goes into providing healthy but fun nutrition in our schools.

Today, we honor a man whose impact on education and community service was as profound as it was heartfelt. Mont Millerberg, the cherished vice president of Canyon's  Board of Education , left us with a legacy that echoes in the corridors of Hillcrest High and the streets of Midvale. Amanda Oaks, Dr. Rick Robbins, Denise Haycock and Jeff Haney share stirring tales of Mont's dedication to equality in education and his fair, loving spirit. The stories span from his pivotal role in the District's founding to his tireless advocacy for every child's future—Mont's life is a mosaic of commitment and caring that will continue to inspire.

As we pay tribute to Mont's memory, you'll also hear intimate reflections on the servant leadership he and his wife, Kris, embodied. They raised their family on pillars of hard work, community care, and faith, setting an example that many strive to follow. Mont's approach to serving on the  board was marked by innovation, kindness, and a remarkable connection with those around him. From flipping hot dogs at school functions to knowing each attendee by name, his genuine warmth and the indelible bonds he fostered are the essence of his enduring legacy. Join us in celebrating Mont Millerberg—a true advocate for education and a beacon of service in our community.

In Canyon District, we teach and model digital safety and citizenship every day in our classrooms. Our goal is to empower students to use technology responsibly. More than that, we want them to use it to create, investigate, collaborate, and analyze - and we view parents as valuable partners in this endeavor.

 In a recent episode of Connect Canyons, we hear from teacher specialists Katie Gebhardt and Jonathan Stewart who work to support teachers and parents alike in this endeavor.