Congratulations to Uintah High’s Amanda Muffler on being selected as one of 10 Utah Education Association Excellence in Education Award winners!

Muffler was nominated for the award by UHS English teacher and Uintah County Education Assocation President Aaryn Birchell, who noted that Muffler’s “leadership, innovation, and compassion exemplify the very best of our profession.”

As the 10th-grade English team lead at UHS, Muffler implemented an innovative intervention system that resulted in accelerated student growth. The success led other departments in the school to adopt the framework, according to Birchell. “Amanda does not innovate for recognition,” Birchell said. “She innovates to ensure that every student has access to meaningful progress.”

Likewise, Muffler’s work with the Utah Teacher Fellows program serves to amplify the voices of teachers at the state and national levels. Her featured contribution, “5 Small Classroom Changes for Big Rewards,” in Education Week reflects her ability to translate research and classroom experience into practical strategies.

Birchell said her favorite thing about Muffler is her advocacy for students—especially those who feel unseen or marginalized. “She possesses a rare ability to connect authentically with young people, creating classrooms rooted in belonging and dignity,” said Birchell, who noted that Muffler deftly supported students in one of her classes last school year after two classmates passed away in separate incidents.

“Amanda navigated this heartbreak with compassion, resilience, and grace,” Birchell said. “She held space for grief while maintaining stability and care. She balanced academic expectations with humanity. She modeled strength without sacrificing tenderness. In moments when her students needed an anchor, she was one.”

Muffler will be honored for her outstanding contributions to education at the UEA Banterra Bank Superstars in Education Awards Banquet on Sept. 11 in Sandy.