Many new faculty members uproot their lives to begin teaching at BYU–Idaho. For many, the decision comes not just from career goals but from a sense of calling.
Tyrell Turley, who will be teaching electrical and computer engineering, describes how unexpected this path felt for him.
“Teaching was never something I intended to do—at least not this early in my career. I had an enjoyable career in engineering, and I loved the work I was doing. But even though I still have doubts about my ability to do this, I feel overwhelming trust from God that this is where I’m meant to be and that He will help me,” Turley said.
Turley admits he sometimes worries about whether his technical knowledge or teaching skills are enough, but his focus remains clear.
“What matters most is whether I’m following the promptings of the Holy Ghost when I teach, inspiring my students to be better disciples and testifying of Jesus Christ in the classroom,” Turley said.
Paul Peirce, an incoming accounting adjunct professor, is a finance leader who built a successful career at Dow, driving multi-million-dollar savings and growth, is one of many faculty members at BYU–Idaho who don’t necessarily need to keep working because of their career success. But the success of his students is what he's here for.
"In my career, I learned that the greatest satisfaction often came from tackling the most difficult challenges with my colleagues. That’s the kind of perspective I want to bring to the classroom,” Pierce said.
For Peirce, faith is at the center of that effort.
“My philosophy is that if we put the Savior first, everything else will go better. It doesn’t mean it will be easy or smooth, but it does mean we’ll get more out of what we do when we put Him first,” Pierce said.
Shaun Hirz, an incoming math teacher at BYU–Idaho, says a one-on-one meeting with a professor during his time as a student at BYU–Idaho changed the trajectory of his life.
“That experience left such an impact on me that I want to do the same for my students," Hirz said.
John and Jennifer Weekes are the first married couple hired to teach together in BYU–Idaho’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After applying in October and interviewing in November, Jennifer initially didn’t make the top candidates. Then, just a week before her husband’s interview, BYU–Idaho reached out with a new opportunity for her. Despite some doubts about the fit, she felt prompted to accept and move forward.
SOT: “All these things lined up perfectly over the last 10 months. If I hadn’t taken this job, I’d have been denying the promptings I felt along the way. So, I said yes—and here I am.” (25:59)
Jennifer's husband, John, says he’s experienced a similar journey over the past year as he sought direction for his own career.
“I’ve felt, over the past year, that I was being sent to make a change. Professionally, my work was good, and I liked it, but it wasn’t coming from love anymore. Seeing God’s hand in all of this has changed my perspective and helped me move confidently in this new direction,” John said.
Gaylynn Bean has been part of BYU–Idaho’s Communication Department for 16 years, first as an adjunct and then for two years as visiting faculty. She is now a full-time professor. In 2022, she returned to school, using a gift from her mother to earn a master’s degree in cognitive science, focusing on how people learn.
“Because I knew that the focus of the university is so much on teaching and learning,” Bean said, “we get to teach our content of expertise, beautifully wrapped in the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Keri Smith is returning to BYU–Idaho as a Home and Family Department professor, drawn back by the lasting impact the school had on her own life.
“I first came here long ago as a student, back when it was called Ricks College, and I absolutely loved my time here,” she said. “It was sacred to me, foundational in my life, and it positively shaped every part of who I am.”
Smith says what drew her to BYU–Idaho is the same thing that made Ricks College special years ago—the Spirit. She hopes to continue sharing that light with others.
“To me, the spirit of BYU–Idaho is the spirit of Ricks. It’s about becoming disciples and followers of Jesus Christ and carrying His light into our homes, wards, communities and the world. It’s shining the Savior’s light wherever we go.”