FOUNDERS FIVETHE FOUNDERS’ INSTITUTE
Eight distinguished educators represent the gold standard of instructional leadership and the vanguard of civic renewal.
Meet the laureates ↓Selected through a rigorous review involving urban and rural districts, these educators demonstrate how consistent, developmentally appropriate exposure to founding documents can build future leaders and bridge divisions.
01FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Amy Savarie is a 5th-grade teacher at Beacon Heights Elementary with 12 years of experience in 4th and 5th grades in Salt Lake City School District. She believes primary sources help students think critically, ask meaningful questions, and connect more deeply with the nation they live in while understanding how it was shaped.
02FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Dr. Anna Christiansen teaches middle school social studies and language arts in the Salt Lake City School District. Across sixteen years in the district, she has developed a passion for collaborative, inquiry-driven, place-based, and project learning that builds critical thinking, stewardship, and civic engagement.
03FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Ryan Mueller is a social studies teacher at Mount Logan Middle School with more than fifteen years of experience teaching United States history. He helps students engage deeply with primary sources including the Constitution and Declaration of Independence while emphasizing historical thinking and civic responsibility.
04FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Danette Arns is a fifth-grade teacher at Red Cliffs Elementary School in the Juab School District with 12 years of experience. She integrates civics and social studies into literacy through nonfiction, historical fiction, hands-on experiences, and primary sources including the United States Constitution.
05FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Jalena Warner teaches U.S. History at Juab Junior High School in Nephi, Utah. She helps students see history as relevant to their lives by analyzing evidence and perspectives, translating historical documents into modern language, and completing creative assessments that build civic awareness.
06FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Heather Peterson teaches 7th-grade Utah History and 8th-grade U.S. History. Growing up near a World War II military base sparked her interest in history; today she helps students build perspective, empathy, civic pride, and a deeper understanding of the past.
07FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Jacquie Tuitavuki is a 5th-grade teacher at South Mesa Elementary in St. George, Utah, with 25 years in the Washington County School District. Her hands-on projects and historical reenactments bring the American Revolution, Civil War, and primary-source analysis to life.
08FOUNDERS’ FIVE LAUREATE
Ben Meier is an 8th-grade U.S. History teacher at Pine View Middle School with 15 years of experience. He emphasizes the why and how behind events, guiding students from learning about constitutional principles to applying them as active citizens.
EXCELLENCE IN CIVIC EDUCATION
Parents, students, administrators, colleagues, and community members are invited to recognize an outstanding civics or U.S. History educator.
THE CIVICS TOOLBOX
The Civics Toolbox is a high-performance classroom system supporting consistent implementation, strong primary-source instruction, and excellent civic conversation.