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Biography

For Wade Glathar, education has always been his passion. He first considered becoming an educator in elementary school, and through the years his desire never wavered. "Inspiring teachers strengthened my resolve," Wade recalls. "I have distinct memories of enjoying school, the knowledge I was gaining, the lessons I was taking, even the homework I was doing." Mr. Glathar also remembers the year when his affinity for and fascination with history was awakened inside of him. "I was in fourth grade and that year history came alive for me. When it came time to declare my major, history teaching was a natural choice. It combined two great loves of mine, history and teaching!"

In seventh grade, Wade discovered another affinity--this time for the German language, and later minored in German Teaching, while supporting himself as a German teacher at an intensive language center. In 1998, Wade graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelors degree in history teaching and an endorsement in German teaching. He was hired at a private K-12 college preparatory school as a History and German teacher, where he taught courses including German for 1st graders, Advanced Placement German, and German Literature; and well as Utah, U.S., and European History. His responsibilities at the school soon expanded and he became the coordinator for a German study-abroad program, the Foreign Language Department Chair, and a member of the school's Curriculum Committee, and Board of Trustees.

In 2005, Wade and his family moved to Birmingham, England where his wife completed her master's degree. During this year-long hiatus, Wade enjoyed a rewarding and enriching experience as a teacher in the British school system, and as a collaborator with the British National Curriculum. While in England, Mr. Glathar was offered the position of director at a charter school that was opening in Utah. He took on the position and got right to work spending the next six months hiring teachers, support staff and teaching assistants; finalizing curriculum plans; meeting with parents of future students and fulfilling the numerous other duties that fell to him as the school's Academic Director. Because the school first opened its doors at a temporary location, and later moved to a permanent one, Wade had the additional challenge of overseeing the move and all that would entail. His character and great capacity for leadership are reflected best in the words of those who worked with him in the past. Teachers, board members, and parents alike shared effusive words of respect and gratitude for Wade's ability to listen and communicate, to train and strengthen, and to collaborate and seek solutions. (Please see excerpts from their comments under the "Quotes" tab above.)

Wade completed a masters degree in Teaching and Learning from Brigham Young University, where he completed his thesis project on using action research as a school-wide professional development tool. He also spent time as an adjunct professor at a local university, teaching German language classes. Wade and his wife, Rebecca, have two children and a pet snake. Over the years they have opened their home to dozens of proctor youth, giving them a place of stability, structure, and care while they prepare to transition back to their parents or live on their own. They have also enjoyed hosting several exchange students from Thailand, Japan, France, Austria and Germany. The Glathars value culture and recognize the importance of sharing our culture with others. They frequently host guests and delegates from around the world in their home through the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy Home Hospitality Program. Outside of the professional arena, Wade enjoys reading, writing, painting, Sudoku puzzles, cooking, family parties, traveling, and going to the movies. He loves nature, camping trips, hiking to the top of Mount Timpanogos, Star Wars (the original trilogy), and is a self-proclaimed NPR addict. Most of all, Wade loves spending time with his family, seeing his children laugh, and laughing along with them. He tries to laugh every day.

"I believe in the power of education," Mr. Glathar stated. "Education can take many forms; private, public, and homeschooling. Since returning to Utah, I have found that charter schools also fill an important need for many students and parents. I am eager to use the knowledge, skills, and tools that I have, as well as my dedication, humility, and compassion to help Early Light Academy not only succeed and find its rightful place in the community, but also to meet the needs of the students it will serve."