A message from Jennifer Billow about the Excellent Educator Awards: “A fun additional tidbit is that the Excellent Educator winner at PCHS, Mary Sue Purzycki, and the Sarah and Stephen Doilney winner, Debra Alcox, are besties and running buddies. They became close at Running with Ed years ago, and have competed in dozens of races ever since. They got up at 4:30 am every morning to run before school started for the past several years!
Something else fun to note, the awards are a surprise to the recipient. The Doilney and Louis families, PCEF staff, and Board travel to each school with the PCHS celebration band. Every school has an assembly and the winners are announced in front of the entire school. Their families are there as a surprise as well.”
In 1996, Jim Doilney and PCEF created the Excellent Educator Awards to honor the educators in the Park City School District. Jim was inspired by his mother who was a teacher. Since 2019 he has been joined by the Louis Family to continue this endeavor, as Hank Louis was a former educator.
Every year, educators in each school determine PCEF’s Excellent Educators. This year, six Park City teachers have been honored by their peers and students as the “best of the best!”
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Whalen Louis kicked off the awards at the high school. “We are committed to recognizing educators who go above and beyond to ensure students in our school district are poised for future success,” he said. “It’s very important to take the time and recognize all the amazing educators here. Every single teacher and staff member makes a difference.”
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The 2025/26 Excellent Educator Award Recipients:
- Park City High School — Mary Purzycki (CTE & Science)
- McPolin Elementary — Sam Thompson (5th grade)
- Trailside Elementary — Lori Drivdahl (Instructional coach)
- Parley’s Park Elementary — Avery Kidd (2nd grade)
- Jeremy Ranch Elementary — Jennifer Riggs (4th grade)
- Ecker Hill Middle School — Zachary Giddings (Music)
Stephen Doilney introduced the Sarah & Stephen Doilney Award. “This award was made to honor my mother, who was a teacher, and this award is special because it is based on the feedback from the 2025-26 senior class,” he said. “Their quest was to name the most influential educator of the year.”
The 2025/26 Sarah & Stephen Doilney Award Recipient:
- Debra Alcox, Math & Science Teacher. The Sarah & Stephen Doilney Award is voted on by the Senior Class at Park City High School to honor the most influential educator of their school career.
Our educators are excellent. An overwhelming thank you to every PCSD educator – we have so much gratitude for everything you to to make an impact on every student in our schools.
PCEF’s Excellent Educator celebration photos can be found on our Facebook page.
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