It’s Elementary, My Dear Student Teacher

Porter Elementary School Partners with BYU Idaho for Quality Education & Success

By Katherine Ogden

Porter Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona has developed a unique and mutually beneficial relationship with Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I).

“There are some wonderful things going on at Porter Elementary,” says Sue Cottle, the Area Coordinator for BYU-Idaho Student Teaching representative. “It’s like a diamond in the rough that no one knows about. I tell our teacher candidates that Mesa is the ‘whole package,’ with great schools and mentors, plus supportive, knowledgeable principals. I also mention the over-the-top Institute programs and Young Single Adult wards to help them maintain a spiritual balance in their lives. I even mention the difference in climate, especially in winter!”

Twice a year, a virtual Meet and

Greet is conducted where future teacher candidates visit with partnership principals in Arizona, Utah, and Texas. The principals explain what their schools have to offer candidates and why candidates should interview with them.

“It helps so much to have this great partnership and strong relationship with BYU-I,” says Porter Elementary Principal Kathy Ray, “Right now, there’s a teacher shortage. These teacher candidates come with a fresh point of view. Their goal is to help kids and they thrive in the ‘little wins.’ They’re not in it for the money; they do it because they love kids. The teacher candidates add a lot of passion to their teaching and many of them tutor out of the goodness of their hearts.”

“BYU-I gives you such a good foundation and support system, for someone just starting out.” says Kim- berly Mangum, a 2nd grade teacher and former BYU-I teacher candidate.

“During our BYU-I candidate interviews, in February of 2021, I’d sat in on some Q & As with other candidates and Mesa Public School (MPS) district educators. Shortly after the interviewing process, I chose what district location I preferred and picked MPS as my top choice, based on the values and systems I connected with during that interview,” says Kimberly. “After graduating in December, I applied to be a substitute teacher for MPS while waiting for my Idaho teaching certification to be completed, and did that for the remainder of the year. I was eventually offered a teaching position at Porter Elementary and was ecstatic to be hired at the school that taught