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History Teachers Share Passion for Studying the Past and Rich History of Utah
Description
Did you know that Utah became the 45th State in 1896? Did you know a Utah man invented the very first pedal steel guitar and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant opened, not in Kentucky, but 1500 miles to the west in Salt Lake City?
On this episode of the Supercast, as many people prepare to celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24th, we sit down with two history teachers who have a passion for studying the past, bringing it back to life, and educating kids in the classroom about Utah’s rich history.
Audio Transcription
[Music] Anthony Godfrey:Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. Did you know that Utah became the 45th state in 1896? Did you know a Utah man invented the very first pedal steel guitar and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant opened, not in Kentucky, but 1500 miles west of Kentucky in Salt Lake City?
On this episode of the Supercast, as our state holiday Pioneer Day approaches on July 24th, we sit down with two history teachers who have a passion for studying the past, bringing it back to life, and educating kids in the classroom about Utah's rich history.
We're here with two of our Utah Studies teachers here at Hidden Valley to talk with them about some Utah history given that our state holiday of July 24th is coming up. So first just introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about how you got into teaching Utah history.
Christina Jacobs:
I'm Christina Jacobs, and I'm the Utah Studies teacher at Hidden Valley Middle. And I got into Utah Studies actually kind of by accident. I was originally supposed to be teaching US History in a different district. And last minute, they moved me to Utah History. And so I had to actually learn it because I wasn't born and raised here. And so that was a fun experience of being able to learn alongside the students. And then when I moved districts to Jordan the next year, I then just taught Utah Studies and I've taught it ever since.
Anthony Godfrey:
Fantastic.
Madison Feist:
My name is Madison Feist. I teach at Fort Harriman Middle School. I've been in the district for nine years now. I started teaching at a high school and then switched over to a middle school. Always thought I would switch over to US History at some point, but I just fell in love with Utah history and I never want to switch. It's the best.
Anthony Godfrey:
What are some of the things you love about Utah history?
Madison Feist:
I, like her, did not grow up in Utah. So I was like, what is Utah history about? This is gonna be so boring.
Anthony Godfrey:
Now I'm gonna triple down on that because I was not born and raised in Utah. And then I came here, I'm like, you mean everybody studied Utah history?
Madison Feist:
I know!
Christina Jacobs:
Exactly.
Madison Feist:
In 7th grade? There’s a core?
Anthony Godfrey:
I did not study Indiana history in seventh grade.
Madison Feist:
There was no California history.
Christina Jacobs:
There was no New Jersey history.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, see? From three different states. It’s alright, here we go. And so I've always felt a little bit behind. It's like I had my own personal pandemic during Utah studies itself, and I didn't get a chance to learn that. So that's partially why I've been so excited to talk with you guys. It's like, all right, let's fill in the gaps for me as much as anything else. So anyway, you again, were not born and raised in Utah, so you were interested in learning.
Madison Feist:
Yeah, and starting off again, I thought I would move to US history or go back to a high school, but I fell in love first with middle school students and that age group and second with Utah studies and the fact that it was not boring. It proved me wrong. It’s very i