Letters Q and U marry in unique Utah kindergarten teaching ceremony

WEST POINT — Over 100 kindergarten students at Island View Elementary School witnessed a very important union that will play a key role in the rest of their literary lives.

The letters Q and U were married in a ceremony that didn't end in "I do's," but in "Quah's."

The letter Q was played by kindergarten teacher Ms. Teisha Langford, who wore her wedding dress for the occasion. Her husband, Scott Langford, played the role of U, and together they were pronounced consonant and vowel.

"The kids loved it," Teisha Langford said. "This is the second year that we've done it, and it's always lined up that it's around Valentine's Day, which makes it more fun."

The "Q-U" wedding is something that was planned as an entire kindergarten team and included five kindergarten classes. Principal Scott Richardson said it's something that he, the students, and the teachers look forward to.

"We have a little balloon arch, and we have little cups of confetti," Richardson said. "We also had a little dance party for the last little bit. We try and make it kind of a big deal."

Richardson said he also loved being part of the event, adding that he got to read a story to reinforce the Q-U union.

"The story is about Princess Q who is really sad because she can't say her name because she's just a letter Q," Richardson explained. "Then there's Prince U, who realizes that he wants to help Princess Q. As they get to know each other, they realize that they have to stand by each other all the time, and as they stand by each other, then they form the sound 'quah.'

"We want to celebrate, not necessarily the marriage; that's not the focus," he continued. "It's teaching that whenever you see Q, you will always see U standing right next to them. It's helping the students see the spelling pattern as well as the phonics piece."

Supporting teachers in creative learning opportunities is important, Richardson said, adding that this was a moment the students won't ever forget.

"A big part of this is giving these teachers an opportunity to be professionals and come up with creative ways to teach," he said. "I think a lot of time in education, we get stuck in thinking that we have so much curriculum to get through, which is true. We do have a lot of those things.

"I think sometimes it's important to have lessons like this. These kids probably had no idea they were learning what Q and U were saying, but I would guarantee none of them will ever forget what Q-U says for the rest of their life."

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