Utah First Lady Visits With College of Education and Human Development

Published: April 10, 2023 | Author: Ryann Anderegg | Read Time: 2 minutes

Utah First Lady Abby Cox visits College of Education and Human DevelopmentSouthern Utah University’s College of Education and Human Development had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox on February 22, 2023.

First Lady Cox, along with SUU President Mindy Benson, met with faculty and staff in the Department of Teacher Education and discussed how they can best support teachers from their training into their careers.

"Teachers are the bedrock of society, they are building the future leaders of our communities, of our state, of our nation. So, I don't think you can underestimate your power for good and for change," said First Lady Cox. "The power that you have as educators to connect with the humans in your classroom is beyond measure.”

SUU’s Department of Teacher Education is committed to developing and nurturing educators who value all people in the communities they serve. Such professional educators will act as agents of change, advocate for equity and justice in their schools and communities, and will embolden students to do the same.

First Lady Cox met with a group of students in their final preparations for student teaching and encouraged them to keep going in their chosen profession and to advocate for themselves and for teaching. Emphasizing the power of teachers and the impact that they will have on future generations.

She also encouraged students to look for and advocate for the positive stories that teaching invokes. She remarked on how the current environment often paints teaching in a negative light, but as the students begin to stand up for the positives of teaching because they will far outweigh the bad.

"Teachers often feel like they don't have a voice, but you do. You have a voice, and you need to use it, and you need to share your stories,” said First Lady Cox.

First Lady Cox has made teachers and education in Utah a top priority. Reaching out to educators and parents, all she heard about was their struggle. Inspired to help, she began creating and implementing programs and initiatives to support present and future educators. In the state of Utah; she discussed the Utah Fellows Network and the conferences that will be held every summer to create opportunities for high-quality training as well as an opportunity to work with policymakers to improve the teaching and learning conditions in Utah.

With the leadership of Sarah Allred, the two have created a conference just for educators; Show up for Teachers will be held on July 19, 2023, at the Mountain America Expo Center. Students were invited to volunteer and once they are teachers this conference is free for all educators.


Tags: Teacher Education College of Education and Human Development

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