HOOPER, UT – The gymnasium at Hooper Elementary was filled with more than just students on Wednesday morning; it was filled with a legacy of "grit, integrity, and determination" as the Weber School District and the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals (UAESP) surprised Principal Kari Breeding with the news that she has been named the 2026 Utah Elementary Principal of the Year.
The surprise assembly featured a live performance by a student jazz band and a wall covered in hundreds of hand-drawn portraits of "Mrs. Breeding," created by the students she has led for the past seven years.
A Culture of "Riding for the Brand"
Principal Breeding is well-known within the district for her commitment to the "Code of the West." During her tenure at Hooper, she has championed a culture of accountability and community pride, often encouraging her staff and students to "ride for the brand"—a cowboy term for loyalty and dedication to one's team.
During the presentation, district administrators and colleagues took turns at the microphone, highlighting her impact. "Her leadership goes far beyond academics," one speaker noted. "She has built a culture where every student knows they belong and every staff member feels supported."
In Her Own Words
Overwhelmed with emotion as she was presented with a banner and a bouquet of yellow flowers, Principal Breeding addressed her students and staff.
"Watching you walk in every day with your backpacks, excited to learn... honestly, this has been the privilege of my life," Breeding told the cheering crowd. "Teaching you, helping the teachers help you—I will always, always be a Hooper Mustang. I love you all so much."
Next Stop: Washington D.C.
As the Utah Elementary Principal of the Year, Mrs. Breeding will represent the state of Utah this fall in Washington D.C., where she will be recognized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) as a National Distinguished Principal.
While she may be heading to the nation’s capital to receive her award, her heart remains firmly planted in the halls of Hooper Elementary. The Weber School District is incredibly proud to have leaders like Kari Breeding who define excellence in education every single day.
