How do we ensure that Utah's best teachers stay in the classroom?
Last Friday we held our very first teacher initiative task force meeting!

We started off with a discussion on teacher shortage numbers, as well as data from our own survey on how college students choose careers—one particularly important finding was that  44 percent of survey participants considered teaching but chose something else, due primarily to low teacher salaries.

We also discussed a recent study by the Utah Education Policy Center on what keeps teachers in the classroom—and why they leave—was also a critical point of discussion. Their research found "emotional exhaustion, stress, and burnout" is the biggest reason why so many Utah teachers look elsewhere for work.

We also brainstormed messaging strategies to change Utah's cultural perception of the teaching profession, with great insights from the members of our team.

At this first meeting, we were thrilled to have education experts from the governor's office, the Utah School Superintendents Association, the Utah State Board of Education, the Utah Education Association, and North Sanpete School District, as well as the Teacher of the Year. We're looking forward to working with these education leaders to solve the teacher shortage over the next several months!

Stay tuned for more updates and visit myeducationourfuture.org to learn about things we can all do to support Utah education.
How do we clean up Utah's air?
We held a successful kickoff for the Clean Air Implementation Team last Wednesday, bright and early on Valentine’s Day!

We discussed what's already been done to clean our air and heard some of the latest data and trends from Glade Sowards, an analyst from the Utah Division of Air Quality. The large group then broke into two subgroups to discuss possible strategies and next steps for reducing emissions from buildings and from vehicles across the state.
 
Some key strategies identified in these discussions include:
1. Expand education programs for vehicle buyers on which cars are the cleanest.
2. Create additional infrastructure networks and incentives for driving electric vehicles.
3. Make both small-scale and large-scale updates to Utah’s buildings to make them better insulated and more energy efficient.

Moving forward, we will be convening smaller groups to tackle specific topics and meeting with experts from many different fields to continue to develop a broad understanding of the challenges facing Utah’s air quality—and to begin to develop strategies that will help us overcome them. Stay tuned as we work towards cleaner air for everyone!
Envision Utah's breakfast on the hill
Earlier this month, we gathered with board members and legislators to enjoy a delicious breakfast and discuss the Point of the Mountain vision released earlier this year. Speakers Robert Grow, Pres. Wayne Niederhauser, Rep. Lowry Snow, and Rep. Brad Wilson highlighted the critical role a vision will play in ensuring that the Point of the Mountain grows in a way that will bring the entire state economic and quality of life benefits for years to come.

You can see the vision by clicking here. Stay tuned as we move into Phase Three of the visioning process and look for ways to make the vision a reality!
Support Envision Utah!
We greatly appreciate all of our contributors for enabling us to carry out these efforts. Please consider a donation to support Envision Utah today!
In the news
Utah Business
Year-over-year, the Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index has grown 3.3 percent, compared to the national index at 2.1 percent. Utah's economy is growing and it's affecting all sectors.
Fresh Plaza
Utah has the capacity to produce more food locally instead of importing the majority of fruits and vegetables we eat. This could be a boon to local economy and make our state more independent.

Good4Utah
Transportation emissions are currently responsible for around 50 percent of the pollutants that make up our poor air quality. We can carpool, take public transit, and drive less to protect our health and environment.


Envision Utah | (801) 303-1450 | envisionutah.org