The Heart of Lehi: Stories of Education, Autism Support & Community History

Community, Connection & Lifelong Learning | John Jay Harris on Special Education, History & Creativity | Roots and Branches of Lehi Podcast What shapes the heart of a community? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with longtime Lehi resident John Jay Harris, whose life’s journey—from Northern California to the foothills of Utah—has been defined by service, creativity, and a deep love for the place he calls home. John reflects on his upbringing, his family’s legacy, and the moments that helped shape his connection to Lehi. With warmth and humility, John shares insights from his decades in special education, including his transformative work with children on the autism spectrum. He opens up the philosophy behind an effective classroom, memorable experiences that stayed with him long after the school day ended, and the joy of seeing students succeed in their own unique ways. His reflections offer a heartfelt glimpse into the patience, compassion, and dedication required to support every child’s potential. Beyond the classroom, John talks about the creative passions that keep him grounded—photography, music, and rock tumbling—as well as his involvement in preserving Lehi’s history through the historical marker of society. His story is a reminder that the community is built through small acts of care, curiosity, and commitment over a lifetime. 📌 Love learning from the people who help shape Lehi’s story? Subscribe for more episodes celebrating community, heritage, and heart. 🏡 Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted. ⸻ ⏱ Key Moments in This Episode  • 00:00 – Introduction to Roots and Branches of Lehi  • 00:40 – Meet John Jay Harris  • 01:02 – John’s Early Life & Family Background  • 01:19 – Growing Up in Lehi  • 01:51 – The Purple Pig Pizza Legacy  • 02:46 – Changes in Lehi Over the Years  • 05:00 – John’s Musical Journey  • 05:32 – A Career in Special Education  • 12:21 – Philosophy & Approach to Teaching  • 15:20 – Memorable Moments in Teaching  • 19:30 – Advice for Aspiring Educators  • 22:02 – Reflecting on Retirement  • 22:20 – Creating a Successful Classroom Environment  • 23:55 – Continuing Community Involvement  • 27:46 – The Rock Polishing Analogy  • 32:51 – Historical Preservation Efforts  • 40:56 – Final Thoughts & Future Hopes ⸻ 👣 Related Topics: Special Education • Autism Support • Lehi History • Community Stories • Photography & Creativity • Historical Preservation • Utah Educators • Lifelong Learning • Roots and Branches of Lehi 🎧 Listen to More Roots & Branches of Lehi: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-branches-of-lehi/id1716852203 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5f0gP0Kjv8eP2w0J9C9G3NYouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhN4Jt9n-DnSxZ0tS09uXBJgp7wa9u0Jt 🏠 Ready to go from renting to rooted?  ✔️ Want to know the value of your home? → https://workharding.hifello.com/lp/6888f21970143a6397c98ea4  ✔️ Curious how much home you can afford? → https://workharding.com/affordability-calculator.php  ✔️ Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/survey/aAl6tzfvetiS329QNypM #RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #CommunityStories #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentsToRoots #SpecialEducation #AutismSupport #LehiHistory #EducatorStories #CommunityLegacy