I can think of very few things which impacted my educational experience more than my teachers, so like many other students approaching this issue I began by asking myself, “What will happen to the teachers? How do they feel about all of this?” According to a recent survey, 91.5% of Orem teachers oppose an Orem split, and 84% said they “would definitely look for a way to remain with Alpine School District” if it happens. If Orem split from Alpine, many teachers would leave, and the most qualified and passionate teachers would leave first, because they of all people could find higher paying jobs elsewhere. During my experience at Timpanogos High School, many good teachers helped me along my educational journey, and a few truly exceptional teachers strengthened my resolve to learn in a lasting way. These special teachers created safe, nurturing classroom environments where I could stretch outside of my comfort zone and make progress by working through every challenge I encountered. I felt no hesitation in coming to them with questions, inside or outside of class, no matter the topic. When they called on me or spoke to me, I felt respected, valued, and heard. Even if only these amazing teachers leave Orem, future students simply will not have an educational experience of remotely comparable quality.

We have so many ways to better support teachers, but we have one surefire way to drive them out: forming an Orem-only school district. Although our school system has its fair share of problems, as all school systems unavoidably do, if we scapegoat Alpine and pretend that an Orem-only district will somehow magically solve all of our problems, despite the lack of evidence, we will only shoot ourselves in the foot. I loved my experience in Alpine School District, and I want my friends and my younger cousins to have good, qualified teachers. Please vote no on this initiative; don’t send our teachers away.

Mark Forsyth, Orem