Fall 2025: Outstanding Student Awards in Secondary Education

Photos (from left to right): Braden Madsen and Mason Koopmans

Teacher Education Department has amazing students. Each year, we choose the best of the best in each of the programs. Here are the outstanding graduates for secondary education:

Mason Koopmans: Physical Education Teaching

When asked about his choice of a major, Mason said: "Growing up I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was a three sport athlete and that's all I really knew. It went from football to basketball to track and then repeat year after year for as long as I could remember. I worked as hard as I could in hopes of receiving a scholarship to go play college football but that unfortunately didn't end up being the case. 

I enrolled at Weber State with no real plan but with hope to find something to do and maybe I would find a direction to follow. As that was happening, I was offered a football coaching spot at Ben Lomond High School where I accepted and got my first taste at teaching young athletes how to improve their skills on a daily basis. After my first year I knew I wanted to be around this more often. I found coaching to be my passion so therefore I wanted to translate it to a classroom where I could have a chance to impact high school kids and help them have a fun high school experience. 

Here we are three and half years later about to graduate and having the experience of coaching at two different high schools and being part of a team that made it to a state championship. I truly love to teach. Whether it's in a classroom or on a field it is where I feel comfortable and it's where I feel like I can have a positive impact on someone's life."

Dr Jessie Nixon, his university supervisor for Practicum said the following about Mason: "The first time I observed Mason in Practicum, it was as if he had known his students for months. He had a natural teaching demeanor, making quick, fun connections with students. I was impressed with his implementation of so many of the strategies discussed throughout the Procore classes right in that first observation, from meaningful transitions, attention grabbers, proximity, and an abundance of memes throughout their slides to make students laugh. I knew he would excel in student teaching as he released students by saying “have a good day and please make good decisions”. We are so proud of you, Mason! Congratulations!

Braden Madsen - Music Teaching (Choir)

From day one in Secondary Education, Braden stood out for his professionalism - from classy attire to proactive communication, he was the epitome of what a teacher should be. In Practicum and Student teaching, he had excellent rapport with his students, demonstrated consistent growth, and was always reflexive, open to feedback, and adventurous in integrating technology and research-based pedagogy. "One thing I always remember about Braden is the genuine joy that he exuded while teaching," said Dr Katarina Anderson, his university supervisor in Practicum. 

When we asked him about his journey to teaching, Braden said: "I’ve always loved music and have known since Jr. High that I wanted to study music when I got to college. It wasn’t until I got to High School that I decided I wanted to become a choir teacher. This is thanks to my wonderful Jr. High and High School choir teachers who impacted me.

During my time at Weber State, I have learned more about music than I ever thought possible. I enjoyed opportunities to perform with the Weber State Chamber Choir in San Francisco, California, Malaga, Spain, and various places around Ogden. I took two semesters of Vocal Pedagogy to learn as much as I could about the voice to be prepared to teach. (Only one semester is required for my degree!!!). I have learned much about teaching music, and teaching in general. One of the things I am passionate about is incorporating technology into teaching.

This semester I had the privilege of Student Teaching at Sunset Junior High. There I learned how to use Canvas, and used the Chrome Music Lab, Musictheory.net, Blooket, and Sight Reading Factory in my teaching. I also made my conducting debut by conducting the combined choirs of Sunset Junior High, and was able to finally apply what I had learned. One of the highlights for me was attending the Utah Grizzlies Game where the choirs performed The Star Spangled Banner. It was fun to watch the game with my students. My goofy dancing encouraged them to have fun and built positive relationships with them.

My education at Weber State has given me a good foundation for a career in teaching. I look forward to a future career teaching choir to continue to build on what I have learned."

Congratulations Braden!