John Funk taught preschool, K, 1st, 2nd grades for 26+ years and five years at Head Start. In 1996, John was named Utah Teacher of the Year, the first kindergarten teacher every chosen. He also served as President of Utah Early Childhood Association (UAEYC). As a national consultant he has worked with McGraw Hill, Discount School Supply, and Frog Street, as well as 20 different state early childhood organizations. He served on the editorial panel for NAEYC’s research journal, Young Children. He began teaching at the University of Utah in 1997. During his time as a clinical instructor at the University of Utah, he taught for the College of Education (UITE, Educational Studies, and Educational Psychology Depts), as well as the College of Behavior Sciences (Family and Consumer Studies Dept.). He received the “Outstanding Teaching Award” for the University of Utah in 2011. He left the university to return to the public school classroom in 2020, teaching first grade in Granite School District. He finally retired this year after 45 years in education.