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Show A-ll rk Record. www.parkrecordJ SAT/SUN/MON/TUES; High school teacher keeps family tradition alive She has commuted from Summit Park to West High for 17 years By Steve Phillips Record contributing writer . Fran Craigle always knew she wanted to be a teacher. It's a family tradition. The longtime Summit Park resident, who has been teaching high school English at West High in Salt Lake City for 17 years, explains. "My grandmother was a teacher, my mother was a teacher, my father was a teacher and I'm married to a teacher. They were all dedicated to education and helping kids succeed, as are my husband and I." Craigle's career journey to the classroom was circuitous. Born Fran Fericks into a Navy, family, she moved every few years growing up. "We lived in Bermuda, Japan and VITAL STATISTICS Favorite things to do: hike and snowshoe; wander up and down Main Street during the Arts Festival. Favorite foods: fine cheeses, breads and wine Favorite authors: "I'm an English teacher so I love the classics - Dickens, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky." Also Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston and Geraldine Brooks. "Greg Mortenson's two books about building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan are must reads!" Favorite performers/music: Billy Joel, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Dixie Chicks Animal companions: Bandit, 14, a Lab mix; Nickel, 2, a Bemese mountain dog; Ozzie, 8, an adopted barn cat; and Coco and Coffee, parakeets. the states of Hawaii, California, and Utah," she recalls. "Hawaii was great. Til always remember the hours I spent riding horses at the stable on the base. I remember camping with my family and friends andi adopting a homeless dog at church camp. But I got tired of the weather because it was always the same. Moving every two or three years was challenging. I got pretty good at it, though. All of us Navy kids were in the same boat." The family settled in Salt Lake City after Fran's father retired from the Navy. After graduating from Hillcrest High School, she attended Westminster College, where she took a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. "My plan was to go to UCLA in California for my graduate degree in education, but I got married instead," she says. Over the next several years she busied herself rearing her two boys and working a variety of jobs. Along the way she transitioned to the role of single mom. She met John Craigle when she took a community education night class in photography. John, who taught photography at Highland High School by day, was the instructor. "We just hit it off," she says. "We were both divorced, both had two boys and had common interests, including each other." They married in 1987 and bought a house in Salt Lake City. Craigle was working at the Department of Natural Resources and studying for a master's degree in public administration when her epiphany struck. "I loved the job," she says. "I traveled throughout the state to some of the most remote sites in Utah, but my heart was always in the classroom. When I had to choose between studying for an administrative degree or an education degree, I chose education." She took her Master of Education degree at the University of Utah in 1993 and stepped into a classroom at West High School a year later. Seventeen years later, she's still there. GRAYSON WEST/PARK RECORD Fran Craigle has lived in Summit Park since 1996. She will retire from her teaching job next year to do more volunteer work in Summit County and enjoy the area's hiking trails. "I teach both regular and honors classes in English, AP literature and journalism. I've also been the student newspaper advisor since I started," she says. She admits she has her favorite classes. "I love literature. It's that thing that connects us to our world and teaching that is really rewarding. The kids are terrific and they keep me young. They're a challenge, no doubt about it, but they're thinkers and open to new ideas. When people say, 'Oh, the world is going to heck in a hand basket,' I say, 'You know what - I work with these young kids and I know it's not! They're going to come through for all of us and this country when we need them." The Craigles have lived in Summit Park since 1996. "I remember driving up here again and again SCOOP IT from Salt Lake just to soak in the flavor," she remembers. "I'd imagine myself living among the trees and watch the people who seemed so content walking their dogs on the narrow streets, waving at anyone who passed. One day we drove up to look for a lot where we could build our dream home and, instead, found it already built and for sale. We figured it was the right place, if not exactly the right time. We took a leap of faith, put our Salt Lake house on the market, explained the move to our sons, packed up the dog and the furniture and never looked back. "For the first few years in Summit Park, I felt like I was going on vacation every time I drove up Parley's Canyon. I'm still in awe of the spectacle driving up and down the canyon, which I do daily. It's never the same two days in a row. West of Summit Park is undeveloped watershed - it's spectacular in all seasons." Craigle will retire at the end of the 2012 to take on some unfinished business. "1 haven't done enough volunteer work," she laments. "Teaching is a 10-hour-a-day job, which doesn't leave me much free time. I'm thinking about Habitat fdr Humanity and the Youth Mentor Project when I retire." She's also looking forward to spending more time with her family. "One of my joys is spending time with my grandchildren," she glows. She has an agenda for herself as well: "I still haven't read nearly enough books or hiked nearly enough trails." Steve Phillips is a Park City-based writer and actor. Send your profile comments and suggestions to him at stevep2631@comcast.net spruce WALDORF ASTORIA PARK CITY "•I PROUDLY PRESENTS OUR EASTER SUNDAY BRUNCH 'V 1 *• Located in the exquisite Waldorf Astoria Park City, we use fresh local ingredients in our American cuisine with classic French roots. Come experience our Grand Easter Brunch - it may just become a new tradition! The menu includes traditional ham and lamb carving stations, French classics such as eggs benedict, baked French toast, and a crepe Suzette station, and our own classics which include house-made sausage, and country shrimp and grits, And of course, many desserts to choose from! \ AND.,. An Easter Egg Hunt for the Kids! $49 per adult | $15 for children under 10 Plus tax and gratuity IT'S WHAT BEST FRIENDS DO. Dog waste left on our trails gets into our water supply. So please, do your part. WHEN THEY POOP, YOU SCOOP, CARRY AND DISPOSE. SWANER PRESERVE AND ECOCENTER Utah State U n i ve rs ity spruce SnydmlllBBiiln Water Reclamation Dlflrlrt WALDORF ASTORIA* PARK CITY PARktTIY o u r: i \Wrt.eaacan>-ofJaeek.org I wiwr.s*2nefeciKen{ef.orQ I www basircrec/ealiofi.org I www.reQtlajlafi.oig | www.casjmmit utiB I w#parkaty.oig I www.UNnd.org RESERVATIONS GLADLY ACCEPTED 435.647.5566 OPENTABLE.COM PARKCITYWALDORFASTORIA.COM 2100 FROSTWOOD DRIVE PARK CITY. UTAH ^30CANYONS |