Local middle school teacher wins Excellence in Teaching award

Lara Rude, EHMS media specialist, wins Excellence in Teaching Award. Photo: Courtesy of Park City School District

PARK CITY, Utah —Lara Rude, Ecker Hill Middle School librarian (media specialist), has been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Teaching award by the Utah Education Association.

This achievement places her among the ten outstanding educators selected for this honor.

Rude has also been nominated to represent Utah at the highly esteemed 2024 NEA Foundation Awards in Washington D.C. This recognition exemplifies her dedication and commitment to the field of education.

“I was nominated by a fellow UEA member,” Rude said. “I was so honored, so surprised, and so blown away; I have been a teacher in the district for 27 years, so it was an honor to be recognized but also very humbling because I work with so many amazing teachers, and I am surrounded by them every day.”

For the past 27 years, Rude has dedicated herself to public education in Park City. She began her journey as a special education teacher and transitioned to the role of media specialist at Ecker Hill five years ago. Her commitment and expertise have positively impacted countless students throughout her career.

The recent attention to banning books from school libraries is a concern for Rude as she carefully selects age-appropriate books for all students.

“I love the kids, they are the best, and I love helping them find books that they want to read,” Rude said. “I feel that everyone has the right to read what they choose to read; clearly, we need boundaries with age levels, but I also think it is so important for kids to see, we call it windows and mirrors, books that you see yourself in but also books that allow you to see other people.”