Principal to Professor
New EdLF faculty member brings 35 years of experience to the McKay School
Dr. Michael Pratt is bringing his 35 years of public education experience to the McKay School of Education as the newest faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations (EdLF). Pratt will teach graduate courses in the department and will serve on the School Leadership Committee.
Pratt’s passion for teaching surfaced while serving as a missionary in Finland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he returned, he began his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, hoping to become a high school biology teacher. However, he began to realize that he had too many interests to limit himself to teaching biology. “As I went to the University of Utah doing my undergraduate work, I realized that I loved biology, but I also loved music and art and English and math—everything,” he said. “I thought to myself, how could I limit what I do to just one thing? I wrestled with that for a while and decided to change to elementary education.”
"My practical experience should make my teaching of the theory a lot more realistic and a lot more useful for students."
Pratt later studied at Brigham Young University where he received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, an education specialist degree in public school administration, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Pratt said it was his love for children and his desire to make a difference that contributed to his decision to pursue his administrative career, which lasted 22 years. “A principal is in a position to have the greatest influence of any single person in the school, and that’s why I decided to become a principal,” he said.
Pratt expressed his excitement and gratitude to be a new member of the McKay School faculty. He said he is ready to contribute what he can to students hoping to become principals. “One of the things I hope to offer is my 35 years of public school experience. I’m not a university professor who deals more with theory and how things could happen. I’ve been in the classroom, I’ve been in the principal’s office, and I know how things do happen,” he said. “My practical experience should make my teaching of the theory a lot more realistic and a lot more useful for students.”
October 23, 2012
I taught with Mike at Sunrise Elementary and also became a principal! He is right about the level of influence a principal has!
I remember Mr. Pratt! He was my principal at Spencer Elementary school in 3rd grade. I still sing Grandma’s Feather Bed that he taught us. His love for music and the children was obvious. I must say he was my favorite principal of the 6 schools I attended as a child.
Congratulations to Dr. Pratt and to BYU! Dr. Pratt was my Stake President, and my first Principal. He is a wonderful person and I am proud to say that I know him. He will be a great addition to the Education department. Way to go, Mike!
Congratulations Professor Mike. My father was a principal for 22 years. Unfortunately I was not as successful. I hope you have a terrific new career. God bless you.
Welcome back Mike. I hope the mission was great.
Thank you for responding.
Janice, are you still a principal?
Kim, we didn’t get much sleep, but we had a lot of fun…
Katharina, Thank you. You’re a sweetheart.
James, God bless you, too. Thanks.
Dave, the mission was…unbelievable. Some people have said that “things that just don’t happen, happen in Russia.” I’ve seen some of those things so I tend to believe it! It was a grand adventure to live there and a humbling realization to see the hand of the Lord blessing those people. Amazing.
Leave your response!
Contact Us
Recent Posts
Categories
Browse News
Search News
Departments
Staff
Recent Comments
Most Commented
McKay School Twitter Feed