From CPA to Teacher: Lessons That Prepare Students for Real Life

Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Gig Griffith on Service, Leadership, and Building Community | Roots and Branches of Lehi PodcastWhat happens when a successful business professional trades the corporate world for a classroom? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with educator, mentor, and community volunteer Gig Griffith to explore how one career change created opportunities to shape countless young lives through education, leadership, and service.Gig shares his journey from growing up in Irvine, California, to working as a CPA with Ernst & Young and Novell before following a new calling into education in Utah. Drawing on his business experience, he transformed financial literacy into a hands-on, practical course that prepares students for real life through problem-solving, mock interviews, guest speakers, and meaningful conversations about money management. He also reflects on Utah's leadership in financial education and why teaching life skills is just as important as teaching academics.Beyond the classroom, Gig has become a familiar voice and face in the Lehi community. As advisor for student leadership organizations like FBLA and DECA, announcer for Sky Ridge High athletics, and an advocate for community service, he encourages students to build confidence by getting involved. From organizing blood drives and supporting the Lehi Cares Coalition to donating one of his kidneys, Gig demonstrates that leadership begins with serving others and finding ways to lift the people around you.The conversation is filled with practical wisdom for parents, educators, and community members alike. Gig discusses why teenagers deserve trust, the importance of reading and lifelong learning, how extracurricular involvement helps students find belonging, and why communities become stronger when people choose to serve. His story is a reminder that education extends far beyond textbooks—it's about helping people become capable, compassionate, and connected.📌 Love hearing stories from the educators, volunteers, and leaders making a difference in Lehi? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating community, service, and the people who make Lehi feel like home.🏡 Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted.• 00:00 – Podcast Welcome• 00:45 – Meet Gig Griffith• 02:45 – Growing Up in California• 04:43 – Mission and BYU Journey• 05:40 – Career, Family & Returning to Utah• 09:05 – The Novell Commuting Years• 09:55 – Why He Chose Teaching• 14:13 – Building a Practical Financial Literacy Class• 19:59 – Hands-On Learning That Sticks• 25:28 – The Impact of Guest Speakers• 32:02 – Becoming the Voice of the Falcons• 33:19 – Creating an Unforgettable Game-Day Experience• 35:59 – Family, Leadership & Student Growth• 40:39 – Why Teenagers Deserve Trust• 47:23 – The Value of Public Education• 49:34 – Why Service Leads to Happiness• 51:35 – Kidney Donation & Community Blood Drives• 54:11 – Lehi Cares Coalition & Youth Service• 59:08 – Building Better Schools Through Clubs• 01:03:07 – High School Memories & Farewell👣 Related Topics:Financial Literacy • Education • Student Leadership • FBLA • DECA • Community Service • Volunteerism • Sky Ridge High School • Lehi Cares Coalition • Mentorship • Roots and Branches of Lehi🎧 Listen to More Roots & Branches of Lehi:Apple: https://apple.co/40J53LnSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7vYouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM🏠 Ready to go from renting to rooted?✔️ https://workharding.com/start#RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #CommunityStories #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentsToRoots #Education #FinancialLiteracy #CommunityService #StudentLeadership #Mentorship