Endangered Human Species

As an educator, I encounter a diverse group of children as well as their parents on a daily basis. Through my interactions with a variety of people in the last few weeks, I have had my values and expectations for my students questioned. Those who know and love me despite my immediate emotional reactions understand that this has really bothered me and as a result, I have been thinking quite a bit about it. During one of my reflections on my home from UA last night, I recalled not only all the things that make me who I am, but also more importantly all of the people who have helped mold me into the person I am. Then I thought of a recent lesson with my students on the “Endangered Human Species.”


The endangered human species are those people who are becoming rarer and rarer with each passing day. Two particular groups of people intrigued my students: those who stay on the line when they have dialed the wrong number just to apologize for doing so and those children who would rather read than play video games. I am proud to say that I can fit into both of those “endangered species” only because of my parents and the Butterfield family who showed me the way. “Butterfields” are endangered species. It is not often in today’s society that you find a family like ours. We are family who holds their values dear and devotes themselves to teaching others the benefits of hardwork, dedication, service, and above all devotion to our Savior.

It is my desire to serve as a good role for not only my children, but also for all children. I believe our family can take “Butterfields” off the endangered species list by continuing to serve the Lord and others. Thank you to each person who has shown me what it means to be a Butterfield!

~Jen