Park City High School celebrates Joanna Andres, Utah’s Teacher of the Year

Park City High School social studies teacher Joanna Andres stands in her classroom following her recognition as Utah’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Photo: TownLift // Rebecca Brenner

PARK CITY, Utah — When Park City High School social studies teacher Joanna Andres heard her name announced as Utah’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, she was stunned. “I was very surprised,” Andres said. “The other four candidates were incredible. All of them have incredible resumes and credentials. I didn’t see it coming.”

Her colleagues and district leaders were not surprised. “It’s important to note that Joanna says she was surprised — we were not,” Principal Caleb Fine said. “Our seniors just voted her to win the Staff Award for Best Educator at the same time she’s being recognized statewide. That has never happened before. She is a world-class AP teacher in the best district in the state.”

Superintendent Lindsay Huntsman agreed. “It’s a huge honor, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Joanna,” she said. “The way she has transformed our AP government course, personalized it for kids, and raised the level of discourse in her classroom is unmatched. She’s really on the forefront of transforming education for our kids and being willing to try new things.”

A first for Park City School District

The recognition marked the first time in more than 60 years that a Park City School District teacher has been named Utah Teacher of the Year. Huntsman noted that the district only recently began putting names forward for the award.

“A couple of years ago, we started looking at the pool of excellent educators and said, let’s put forward one name,” Huntsman said. “Joanna happened to be that name last year, and I’m more than honored and humbled that she’s representing our district.”

A celebration of teaching

The announcement came during a banquet in Salt Lake City earlier this month. Andres recalled sitting with her husband, colleagues, and members of the Park City High School jazz band, who performed that evening. “It was really neat to have actual students there for that moment,” Andres said. “It was really special.”

The night capped off months of applications, essays, interviews, and recommendations. Andres said she nearly missed the ceremony after being delayed by a truck fire on Interstate 80. “I texted the coordinator and told her I might not make it,” she said with a laugh.

When her name was called, colleagues jumped to their feet. “It was an honor,” Andres said.

From Law to Learning

Andres’ path to teaching wasn’t traditional. Originally aspiring to be a lawyer, oscillating between prosecutor and defense attorney, she found herself drawn to a different kind of justice. “I’ve always had a problem with injustice,” she explains. “I realized that this would be a more fulfilling way to fight injustice and inspire kids and empower kids to find those things that are wrong and try to make them right.”

This philosophy permeates her AP Government classroom, where current events aren’t just discussed—they’re dissected, debated, and connected to constitutional principles. “I don’t shy away from current events,” Andres says. “We talk about the Constitution, we talk about our founding documents.”

A classroom of dialogue

Andres teaches AP government and criminal law, often blending current events and civic engagement with constitutional principles. She said she encourages students to engage with complex issues in respectful and accountable ways.

“My class is very discussion-based,” she said. “We talk about the Constitution, we talk about our founding documents. I want students to see that they can talk about hard things, disagree, and still respect one another.”

On her classroom wall hangs a photo of the late Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, political opposites who maintained a close friendship. “That’s my class, right there,” Andres said. “I want students to understand they can vehemently disagree and still find a way to value each other.”

Former students have told her that the class “restored their faith in democracy” and taught them to engage in conversations with people whose ideas they despised without despising the people themselves.

Impact and innovation

Andres’ AP government course boasts a 96.4% pass rate, including 32 perfect scores — a number colleagues call “unheard of.”
“She has high expectations, and the kids know that,” Huntsman said. “Even before we implemented yonder pouches, there were no cell phones in her classroom. Students know her expectations, they follow routines, and the academic discourse happening in her classroom is unmatched.”

Fine credited Andres’ willingness to innovate. When the district needed someone to pilot a new criminal law course, she volunteered — co-teaching with her husband this year.

Relationships at the center

Andres’ impact extends far beyond test scores. She recounts a challenging student from a few years back who would make provocative statements to test boundaries. Rather than taking it personally, she recognized deeper issues at play.

“It’s not about me,” she realized. “There were things that he was hiding from, things that he was trying to draw attention to that were separate from my class.” Through patient one-on-one conversations outside class, she built trust while maintaining classroom boundaries. “I walked away knowing that I did the right thing and that I made him feel safe, even if I disagreed with him.

Andres said her goal has always been to inspire students to recognize and confront injustice. She also credited her colleagues and administrators for their support of her work. “I have never felt more supported in my entire career,” Andres said. “Our leadership team and our teachers inspire me every day. Our students want to be seen before they can learn, and this district really understands that.”

Huntsman echoed that commitment to relationships. “Her peers have a tremendous amount of respect for her,” she said. “They come to her with concerns, and she’s not afraid to push back when needed. At the same time, she’s always asking, is this truly what’s best for kids? That’s the kind of leadership that lifts everyone.”

Finding Balance

When not in the classroom, Andres finds solace in distance running—her “salvation” and processing time. She’s training for a half marathon with her oldest son, who attends the University of Utah. “That’s where I process, and I kind of chill out a little bit because I run a little hot and I can run a little fast,” she laughs.

Family time and camping round out her self-care routine, providing the balance needed to bring her full energy to her students each day.

Looking ahead

As the Utah Teacher of the Year, Andres will represent the state at events and may be considered for the National Teacher of the Year award. She hopes to use the platform to highlight the importance of relationships among teachers, policymakers, and the public.

“I think there is a thirst for recognition, not just appreciation, but recognition of what educators do,” Andres said. “I would love to bring legislators and board members into schools with me so they can meet teachers, see what they do, and build relationships. That would be an honor.”

For Fine, Andres’ recognition is both historic and unsurprising. “She’s an incredible educator,” he said. “Not every teacher gets honored the way they should. Right now, Joanna is, and she deserves it.”