Education Continues To Celebrate Excellence

Due to Coller Industries Incorporated’s continual support and donations, we were able to be a part of the “Excel Evening of Honors” on April 13th. Granite Education Foundation presents awards each year to exceptional teachers and administrators working in their district.

It all starts with the smallest of donations: TIME.

Since Granite Education Foundation’s inception in 1988, educator recognition and support has been a key priority. The Excel Awards are a prestigious honor given to the top 10 educators of Granite School District and has been sponsored by Granite Education Foundation since the beginning. Students, administrators, parents and colleagues nominate educators that exemplify the values of Granite School District.

“Watching the videos of each teacher and their stories and how they make a difference in the kid’s lives was the best part of the evening,” Hannah, Customer Service Manager and Coller Industries Incorporated, said.

Being a professional educator isn’t an easy job. Sometimes it can even be a thankless job. But, thanks to these amazing teachers and administrators, public education continues to excel.

Each year, GEF supporters gather to recognize outstanding teachers, administrators and community members whose personal commitment and contribution impacts 68,000 students in the Granite School District. The Excel Award is bestowed upon nine teachers and one administrator that have been nominated by school administrators, colleagues or students.

Here are the 2018 Excel Award winners.
Congratulations to these incredible educators!

(Top to bottom; left to right.)

Leah Tarrant – Taylorsville High School
Lori Lindford – Bennion Elementary
Jill Thackeray – Skyline High School
Jodi Larson – Upland Terrace School
Stephanie Varoz – Crestview Elementary
Amy Winder – Elk Run Elementary
Katie Pearce – Rolling Meadows Elementary
Brandon Kerby – Cyprus High School
Janice Wayman – Hartvigsen School
Archer Birrell – Hillside Elementary

These individuals are then put through a rigorous review and observation process by experienced education specialists who ultimately identify 10 teachers and administrators from all over the district. In mid April, up to 300 individuals from Granite School District, supporting businesses, community members, and local leaders gather to recognize and honor these 10 winners in the Night of Honors a dinner and award ceremony.

As Coller Industries makes generous donations each year to the foundation, we were able to attend this gala not only as distinguished guests but also as an award presenter. After explaining Coller Industries to the attendees, Hannah proudly presented Archer Birrell, a 3rd-grade teacher at Hillside Elementary, with his Excel Award.

While our role is small in comparison to each of these educators, we are beyond happy that we get to take part in this fantastic award opportunity. In a nutshell, “We donate money for clothes and shoes for the kids in the Granite School District. Then we get to honor these great teachers for their excellent work by presenting the award on behalf of Coller Industries and the Granite Education Foundation,” Hannah said.

The Granite Education Foundation Excel Award

Each Excel Award recipient received a sculpture, designed by local Utah sculptor Matt Glenn. This sculpture comes in two parts. The bottom portion has the four Granite Education Foundation hand icons from their logo. Each hand symbolized educate, give, volunteer and advocate. The top portion is a student’s hand reaching for a teacher’s hand. This piece is also reversible so that the teacher’s hand is extending up toward the student’s hand.

“Educational awards, such as the GEF Excel Award, are awesome because children are the future,” Hannah said. “Teachers are important and deserve this recognition for what they do for our children.”

And, we agree. These teachers are very deserving of this prestigious award. We want to thank these teachers and all the others who work endlessly for the welfare of our kids. You all make a huge difference!

Putting Your Name on Anything

We will put your name on literally anything we sell! Okay, we know that we sell personal identification products. But did you know that you can put your name on anything?

Label Everything with Name Tags

These identification tools are for far more than just wearing. Pick your favorite color and let’s get your name on it! Then use it to label practically anything you own. From shelves in the fridge and kitchen cupboards to seating arrangements at your next party, these tags are the perfect solution for labeling.

Unique Places to Put Name Plates

put your name on it with a fancy desk wedge or acrylic block

Yes, these plates are perfect for a desktop or office door. And they are great for setting up designations. But, why not get creative with this one? Use a fancy desk wedge or acrylic block as decoration in your home or office.

Are you a teacher or someone who has a hard time remembering people’s names? Use these custom plates to help jog your memory. Give each person a plate to put on their desk or somewhere else you will always see. Then you won’t have a hard time remembering everyone.

Make It Your Own with Custom Lanyards

Put your name on a lanyard, and now you possess the world! From keys to phones to anything you can hook onto the lanyard fastener, it all becomes yours. And they are great to decorate with. Choose from multiple colors and fonts to make your lanyard as you unique as you are.

Get Creative with Personalized Signs

Sometimes all you need is a creative mind, and you’ll have an instant piece of art. Adding a door sign to a bedroom is the perfect touch to help you be yourself. Custom signs are perfect for bedrooms, playrooms and even a bathroom.

No matter which personal identification product you choose, add your name to make everything yours!

Change Your Life with a Name Tag

Name tags won’t just change your life; they will affect everything around you.

Considering all of the elements in a name tag, changing your life is the least this tool will do. Name tags reach much further than just providing someone with your name. Adapted from Scott Ginsberg, here are just a few ways your life will change for the better.

“A name tag isn’t just a sticker; it’s a statement. It’s about friendliness, identity, culture and human nature,” Scott Ginsberg.

A Name Tag Is A Permission Slip

Wearing a name tag is an invitation to friendliness. It’s a way to open up to others and overcome your personal walls. Sigmund Freud discovered that a person’s name is the single context of human memory most forgotten. So, wearing a name tag means one less name people have to worry about remembering.

Because name tags are permission slips, they encourage engagement. Their primary function is to personalize and humanize each person. Inviting encounters is what they do. And you permit this change to happen every time you put on your name tag.

A Name Tag Is An Engagement Tool

The hardest part about conversations is getting the ball rolling. That’s why names are so great. They are the basic building block of conversation. The sooner you know people’s names, the sooner you feel comfortable around them.

And the sooner you let another person know your name, the better off you will be. Name tags provide that ice-breaker instantaneously.

A Name Tag Is An Equalizer

By wearing a name tag with just your first name, you make it easier for people to connect with you. Others are more apt at finding common ground. Everyone has a first name! When name tags are worn with just your first name, you successfully level the playing field.

A Name Tag Is Non-Threatening

Others can choose to ignore you, but there you are with your name out for all to see. Whether people say hello or just walk by, you’re still being friendly. In this sense, a name tag isn’t imposing on others. It is inviting them to get to know you. And it provides necessary change in your environment for others to trust you.

“Wearing a name tag hasn’t created my identity; it’s revealed it. The name tag excavated and amplified who I always was as a person. It enabled me to continue becoming the person I was in the process of becoming,” Scott Ginsberg.

A Name Tag Is A Sacrifice

Sure, you feel dumb when wearing a name tag. It’s uncomfortable. But think about how many people whose lives you just made easier. Like the guy who’s been working down the hall from you for six years but didn’t know how to spell your name until now. (Or) the shy person across the room who didn’t have the courage to walk up and say hello until now. (How about) the new yoga teacher who had thirty new students, yet only 29 new names to memorize. Whew! How are you practicing mini-sacrifices each day to make other people’s lives (even a LITTLE) easier? What comfort are you willing to forego?

Wearing a name tag stretches your personality. It makes you come out of your shell and your comfort zone. And, in turn, it helps others to do the same. Sure, it might be scary and uncomfortable at first, but think about the impact you have on others by immediately disclosing your name.

Feedback, Reviews & Customer Appreciation

Sometimes, we just need to let our customers speak for us! And here are some glowing reviews to prove it!

Dianne

“The website is easy to navigate and easy to use. First-time success. I talked with Lydia on the telephone before placing the order, and she was very helpful and pleasant. She walked me through the steps. I am looking forward to using you again in the future.”

Kalyca said, “Customer service got right back to me and answered all of my questions in a friendly way!”

Danielle

“First visit on this site, and I am very pleased! After searching similar sites (including local stores), this one offers the specific badge size I want. The custom order process is easy to follow. I had a product/processing question that was answered promptly, and additional information seems to be readily available on the site. Prices, setup fee and shipping are all reasonable. I’m looking forward to making this my new name badge vendor, and see what other great products you provide!”

Sheri said, “We have ordered before. The service is quick, the product looks great; never had any problems with quality or service.”

Laurie

“I have been ordering from Coller Industries for several years now. Despite that I only order once a year, at most, the fact that the website recognizes me from past orders, and allows me to duplicate them so that our old and our new name plates look the same, is AMAZING and COOL! Also, being able to download a list is a thing of beauty too! I have called in the past and had wonderful customer service experiences. I would highly recommend your business to anyone who asks.”

Karlyn said, “Reordering is easy especially with the ability to upload an excel file.”

Other Great Reviews

Dawn

“I ordered name tags for a charity Board on which I serve. You guys were fantastic! I received proofs, made some changes, received those very quickly, approved them and received the tags within a week. Your people were very polite when I called. The product is a wonderful quality. My Board is absolutely going to love them. Thank you for a great job!”

Susan said, “Your customer service rep told me how to order additional tags online for an existing account, and she was very helpful. Thanks!”

Chacha said, “This is my second time placing an order with you. Ordering is simple, and the product is high quality and exactly what I expect to receive. Thank you!”

We appreciate all the feedback received from our customers and would love to hear about your experience with our company. Send us your reviews, questions and comments on our products and services. And let us know if there is anywhere we need to improve.

How We Show Gratitude & Appreciation

These are big words: gratitude, appreciation, community. And their meanings are even more significant!

Every year around this time, Coller Industries receives a special package. Inside this package are not only handwritten thank you Valentines, but also lots and lots of love. We receive these cards every year due to our annual donations to the Granite Education Foundation. And every year, our hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation for those in our community.

Enclosed in the package is also a letter from the board of Granite Education Foundation:

Hey, Valentine!

Exchanging heartfelt messages on Valentine’s Day is a well-loved tradition. While the earliest Valentines were little more than hastily scribbled notes, today we can choose from thousands of varieties, each designed for a specific relationship in our lives. A hundred years ago, only sweethearts exchanged Valentine’s Day cards, but the practice has spread to encompass friends, family, colleagues and supporters.

This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind.

Each board member signs this letter as a token of their gratitude and appreciation for all our donation does for teachers, students and the school district.

Granite Education Foundation (GEF)

Federal and state funds do not meet the immense needs of our students, teachers and schools. The Granite Education Foundation provides access to resources that improve educational outcomes.

We provide educational opportunities for students of Granite School District.

We educate students, teachers and members of our community on ways to impact our community. Together, we CAN make a difference! We gather and give resources the GRANITE way. We impact children and teachers in public education. We advocate, inform and promote learning for students and their families.

The lessons we learn from helping in our community teaches us how to be grateful for what we have. And when we realize what we have, we give even more back to those around us.

Coller Industries is known for their impact in the community through product donations. But the annual contribution to GEF is the one donation that we deem the most poignant. We are giving to the schools, the children, and most importantly, we are providing for our future.

These actions we make each year fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for those around us. Those who strive every day to make a difference in the world. So, yes, we receive thank you cards, but we feel that we are the ones who should be the most grateful. And that, in essence, is why we give donations.