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Show Stephen L. Garrett campaigns for state school board Orem High School teacher, Stephen L. Garrett is seeking election to the Utah State Board of Education from District eight. The district includes Orem, Pleasant Grove, Lindon and Provo as well as Springville, Palmyra, Benjamin and Leland. Garrett is a journalism, English and Broadcasting instructor at Orem High school. He taught English at Cedar City Junior High School in Cedar City from 1970 to 1980 before moving to Orem. Garrett is seeking election to the State Board of Education for a third term. He served two terms, from 1973-1981. While on the board, Garrett was on numerous state and national committees and served one year as the vice chairman. He also chaired the board's legislative committee for two years. "The reason I'm running for the board is to help ensure a balanced approach to educational change," said Garrett. "During the eight years I served before, I was able to provide input into the policy making process from a practical point of j view. In other words, I was able to ask specifically how the proposed change would benefit the children in Utah's schools." Garrett also believes that high school programs should be designed j to serve more students than just those who are planning to attend a four year college. "We need to make certain that those students who are technically talented are not excluded with all the new proposed reform," he said. "When my toilet's flooding over, I'm pretty sure I don't want a chemical engineer. I want a plumber - quickly." He began his teaching career in Cedar City in 1970 where he taught English at Cedar City Junior High School. He served three years as department chairman in Cedar City in addition to being on several state and local English curriculum development committees. In addition to his current responsibility as adviser to the Orem High newspaper, Garrett is also the faculty adviser and general manager of the Orem High radio station, KOHS-FM. He is also the mens and womens tennis coach. "I've certainly seen, over the past 15 years, the value of extracurricular extra-curricular activities," said Garrett. "I certainly hope that some well-intentioned well-intentioned reformers of public education, in their enthusiasm for science and math don't forget how important it is to learn to work together to accomplish a given task. As I watch my newspaper staff, the most important things, those skills that will carry over into their lives, are not the things that are measured on machine-scored, standardized tests. Problem solving and working together are important skills that no fill-in-the-blank test can measure," he said. Walter D. Talbot, Utah State Superintendent from 1969 to 1982, said, "Stephen L. Garrett is a proven leader. He has thex interests of students as well as public education at heart and would ! provide needed stability arid well- considered reform in public education in Utah." Garrett feels that a different type of leadership is necessary from the State Board of Education if needed reform is to work. He said, "There are two types of leadership: one attempts to impose its will from above; the other, to make change by building up all parts and people in an organization. I believe that those changes imposed from outside will be superficial and short-lived. We need to make certain, when attempting change, that it is well researched and has a chance for success. And that those who are to implement the change understand the value and the necessity of the change. If we make certain that change will be beneficial, then, we must make sure that it gets out of the boardroom and into the classroom." Garrett is a 1961 graduate of Springville High School and earned a B.A. degree from BYU in English. He also holds a Master's Degree in English Education from Utah State University. Garrett lives with his wife, Cindy, and their three children: Michael, 7; Geoffrey, 5; and Allison, 2 at 265 North 200 East in Orem. Garrett is the son of Alma L. and Norma S. Garrett of Springville. Stephen L. Garrett |