This week’s Why I Teach Wednesday features Mr. Saia Pope.
Saia has been a Special Education teacher for 32 years. He started in Granite School District (10 years at Cottonwood High, 5 years at Cyprus High, and 1 year at Granite High– all in the Behavior Unit of each school). Then, one day, Saia received a call from former PHS principal Sam Jarman. The two had played football together right here at Provo High. Principal Jarman asked Saia to apply for an open Special Ed position, and the rest is history! Saia’s desire to teach comes from loving kids… and he loves teaching Special Education, in particular, because of the opportunity it presents to provide additional support and help students be successful.
Mr. Pope is also Coach Pope and helps coach our PHS football team. He played football at Ricks College after graduating from Provo High, and then went on to play for Weber State. He even had a chance to play professionally in Canada, but chose to finish his degree.
When not in the classroom or on the football field, Saia simply enjoys hanging out with his wife, 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
And… something you might not know about Saia… He was born in Tonga but was adopted by a couple who had come to the Island to teach school. He moved here when he was 10 years old and attended Sunset View, Grandview, Dixon, and, of course, Provo High. He is a true bulldog through and through!
And he is loved through and through by his students and colleagues. We are grateful to have the tender-hearted Saia Pope here at Provo High!