Spring Valley High English instructor named Nevada Teacher of the Year

By Ian Whitaker

Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 | 5:02 p.m.

Ian Salzman sat quietly in the crowded bleachers at Spring Valley High School’s gym Friday afternoon for what he thought would be a routine graduation announcement.

Then he saw his mom and dad step through the doors, followed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, Nevada Superintendent Dale Erquiaga and an entourage of state education officials, and he realized it was all for him.

“I started to tear up,” he said. “It was a total surprise.”

They sat down, made a few speeches, and then the English teacher was declared Nevada Teacher of the Year, which was renamed this year in honor of Michael Landsberry, who was killed last year at Sparks Middle School while defending students from an armed 12-year-old.

The students cheered as Salzman walked down to the podium to accept the award. He thanked colleagues who helped him go from a new teacher who didn’t know how to write a lesson plan to someone who has been recognized throughout Clark County for teaching and mentorship.

“I came into teaching to transform lives. That was my goal,” he said. “But I stand before you and you have transformed me.”

Then he had this advice for his students:

“Graduate, figure out what you’re going to do for post-secondary education and go pursue your dreams,” he said. “And when you do, find some really talented people who will teach you things and work with you.”

Salzman has taught 11th and 12th graders at Spring Valley since 2006. He has also organized Model UN conferences and helped grow the school’s AVID program, a nonprofit initiative devoted to closing the achievement gap by helping disadvantaged students become college ready. Under his leadership, Spring Valley was named an AVID demonstration school, the only one in the state.

Before he became a teacher, Salzman worked for Fortune 500 companies for 13 years. Erquiaga praised Salzman’s “unique” skill set coming from the private sector. Sandoval said he took one look at Salzman’s application for the award and knew why he won.

“I was amazed,” Sandoval said. “I can’t think of a person who is more deserving.”

Salzman will travel to Washington, D.C., next year to attend an event recognizing the teacher of the year from each state and announcing a national winner.