Judge Memorial theology teacher retires

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Michael Lovett

SALT LAKE CITY — Michael Lovett, theology teacher at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, is retiring at the end of this school year.

Lovett started at Judge Memorial in 2001 after having worked at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Ogden. From 1984 to 1987 he was also part of Judge Memorial’s faculty. All told, he taught for 36 years in the Utah Catholics Schools system.

Lovett, “has inspired countless students throughout the many different subjects he has taught during his storied career,” said Patrick Lambert, principal at JMCHS.

At JMCHS, Lovett taught all levels of French and also moderated the school’s Peace and Justice Alliance team. He holds master’s degrees in teaching and in French as well as a bachelor’s degree in English. In addition, he has done community and volunteer work at the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice in Salt Lake City.

Lovett learned French when he was part of a French theater group.  

“I knew all about grammar from studying in books, filling out worksheets and taking tests, but I couldn’t speak at all,” he said.  

However, everyone in the theater group spoke French, so he had to start doing it, too, he said, adding that he also enjoyed reading in French, which helped him with the language. This led him to start a master’s degree program in French at the University of Utah and a career in Catholic education.

“I was there in the old Spencer’s Hall and there was a phone ringing there,” he recalled.

He answered the phone, and “This person said ‘Hey, do you know of anyone that could teach French at Judge Memorial?’” recalled Lovett, who was familiar with the Catholic high school because his brother graduated from there.

Lovett interviewed for the position and was hired.

During his years with Utah Catholic Schools, he met people like Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School; Chris Long, who last year retired from his position as the JDCHS athletic director; and Peggy Barker, an art teacher at St. Joseph who will also be retiring at the end of the school year, among others.

“It has been really very extraordinary that I got to meet all these wonderful people and many more,” he said.

  Lovett has worked as a writer, editor, teacher and advocate, but his teaching career is the one that has lasted the longest.

Lovett has a great way of showing genuine care for his students and faculty members, said Lambert, adding, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to work next to Michael. … He is a champion for the underprivileged. Michael Lovett has made a career out of being a builder of a more just society.”

In the next chapter of his life, Lovett plans to do “some French translation and different things like that,” he said.

In addition, since he was a child he has been working on Spanish, so “I am really going to work hard to perfect my Spanish,” he said. “I have two Judge teachers that are going to help me work hard in my Spanish, so they said that I can come and watch in their classes, and I am thinking that I am going to take advantage of that.”

 Lovett was both personable and accessible to students and generous and supportive of colleagues, said Bryan Jeffreys, JMCHS English teacher.

“For someone who has seemingly read everything, he absorbs that and shares that with you,” Jeffreys said, adding that Lovett had a kind disposition and a ready humor. “I hope people can grasp his legacy – how he affects students but also his colleagues. He’ll enlighten you and make you laugh.”  

William Trentman, chairman of the school’s theology department, noted that Lovett’s transition to that department in the final years of his teaching career was intentional.

“He wanted to have the deeper discussions,” Trentman said. “He wanted to stay connected to the students in a meaningful way, and theology was the avenue to do it.”