Davis School District Administrator Receives Award from Western Governors University
Online university honors Allison Riddle for vision, creating pathways to teacher success
For her exceptional work supporting educators in the Davis School District and ensuring students have continued access to the best-trained teachers, Western Governors University presented Allison Riddle with the WGU Elevate Award.
The online, nonprofit university presents the WGU Elevate Award to individuals committed to providing high-quality educational and career development opportunities for others. The university – along with several colleagues, family, and friends – surprised Riddle with the award at the district office in Farmington.
“We are delighted to honor Allison in this way,” said Ismar Vallecillos, WGU’s director of operations for Utah and the Northwest region. “Strong communities – in Davis and across Utah – begin in our K-12 classrooms, and great teachers help lay the foundation for long-term success for young learners. Allison has built her career around those principles and richly deserves the WGU Elevate Award.”
Riddle serves as the elementary induction coordinator for the Davis School District. In that role, she provides professional advancement support for more than 300 early-career and pre-service teachers, including access to highly effective instructional and classroom management practices. Riddle also identifies and recruits educators to live and work in the local community – maintaining a strong teacher pipeline across the district.
“As much as anyone, Allison embodies the mission and values of our school district,” said Kellie Mudrow, director of professional learning and quality staffing for the Davis School District. “Our students deserve to learn in a first-rate learning environment and from excellent, engaged teachers. Allison’s role is vital helping all of us deliver on our commitment to our students.”
“Allison approaches her role as a chance to make a true difference in her community,” said Melissa Jensen, strategic partnerships manager at WGU. “She believes in teachers’ ability to change lives and is fully committed to giving them the resources they need to be successful.”
Helping her fellow educators succeed has long been a cornerstone of Riddle’s career – and her impact is felt across Utah and beyond. An outstanding example of her vision and leadership is her contribution to the Davis School District’s innovative Learn & Earn program. Learn & Earn is a collaboration with WGU that offers aspiring teachers the chance to work as teaching assistants while earning bachelor’s degrees in elementary or special education. Participants work ten hours week for the Davis School District and receive full tuition support while completing WGU coursework.
“Since I first met Allison, I’ve been impressed by her passion for teaching and commitment to helping others succeed,” said Constance Dodds, senior strategic partnerships manager for WGU. “Allison has dedicated her career to creating pathways to opportunity for her fellow educators, and the Learn & Earn program is a wonderful illustration of her vision and leadership.”
Before her current role in the Davis School District, Riddle was an elementary school teacher – during which time she developed a teacher training program recognized by the US Department of Education. In 2014, she was named both Utah’s and the Davis School District’s Teacher of the Year. Riddle also received the 2013 Davis CARE Award and the 2015 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and was a 2019 finalist for the National Teacher Hall of Fame. She has also served as a global fellow mentor for the NEA Foundation, a national philanthropic organization promoting public education.
