Spotlight: McKay Students' Accomplishments

Kimber Lyons

“In order to fix our society, we must first start with our families,” urged Kimber Lyons, a Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FACS Ed) major. “What better way to influence our families than teaching our children?” Kimber sees learning how to teach children, both her future children and her future students, as an extremely important and influential duty. This desire led her to pursue an education degree in home economics.

Kimber became involved in home economics in high school, where she was an officer in her school’s branch of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). She and her friends in the organization enjoyed instigating and participating in various activities. These activities nurtured her love for children and helped illustrate the importance of good leadership for the future. Kimber decided to continue this focus when she came to BYU, choosing to explore the FACS major. “I signed up for a semester in the major, not knowing whether I would stick with it,” said Kimber. “Once I took my first classes, I decided I really loved it!”

Kimber, soon to be a senior, shared this insight: “I’m in a great major,” she said. “Not only does it benefit you professionally, but each aspect of your life benefits from the lessons you learn here.” Some of Kimber’s favorite classes at BYU have included cooking, interior design, and child development. “I really like the teaching focus,” said Kimber. “As a future mother, it is my role to teach. I love learning how to do it well.”

Kimber enjoys numerous other activities along with those of her major. She likes being physically active, particularly mountain biking and racquetball. She enjoys cake decorating, gardening, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends. When asked her favorite activity at BYU, her eyes lit up. “I love, love, love BYU Football!” she exclaimed. “It’s probably one of my biggest passions in life.”

4 June 2008

Sam Yamamoto

Samuel Yamamoto, now a senior at Brigham Young University, began playing the trombone when he was 14. By his junior year at Alta High School in Sandy, Utah, he had decided he wanted to get a degree in music education. "I love band!" said Sam. "I was in
symphonic band, jazz band, and the orchestra and I saw what great things music was doing for my life." He felt inspired by his band and orchestra instructors. Because of their superb teaching, he decided to similarly influence others' lives through music.

When asked why he chose to major in music education, Sam explained his reasoning. "Service is a part of my life that I've always enjoyed. I love performing, but teaching as an act of service. And interacting with others is also very important to me. This is where I can have the most influence."

Sam wants to provide quality education to his future students. He recognizes the demand for educators with enthusiasm, skill, and love for students, and he desires to fill that role. "In education, we are in a position to greatly influence people's lives," he said. Empowering others to better shape their own lives is an amazing opportunity."

Sam said that giving students knowledge is the most important part of being a teacher. "Knowledge is power, it really is. When young lives are able to use it, to synergize it for good, they can be a marvelous force on the progression of society." He advised education majors to love what they are doing "so much so that it becomes a second nature. Only then will you reach the students." Sam served as a student teacher at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, from June to December of 2007 and will be teaching at Magrath Junior/Senior High School in Magrath, Alberta, Canada this upcoming fall. He loves to ski, hike, travel, read, and cook.

16 May 2008