At Park City High School, social studies teacher Joanna Andres is known for her high expectations and “tough love” approach that students have come to respect.

It’s those qualities that helped earn her the title of 2026 Utah Teacher of the Year. Andres was honored with award and $10,000 check during a celebratory banquet at the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday evening.

Andres was picked from a pool of five finalists. Her win was determined by a committee including representatives from the Utah State Board of Education and the Utah Education Association.

The four other finalists who each received a $2,000 prize are:

Aaron Andersen, a Chinese language and U.S. History teacher at Skyridge High School in the Alpine School District.

Markay Anderson, an elementary

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