My daughter and I had just finished a lively conversation with a group of my former students at a school carnival. We had joked around together and shared a few laughs. Once they were gone, she looked at me and asked, “Why can’t you be like that at home?” I didn’t have an answer. Just the gut-punching realization that something needed to change.

I’d spent years in education, first as a teacher and then as an assistant principal. I loved it. I was always the fun teacher kids loved having around, whether I was jumping into recess games or just making sure each student felt seen and heard. But I was pouring so much of myself into the school that there wasn’t much left for home. I had become two versions of myself: one who lit up at work, and one who shut down the moment I walked through the front door.

Growing up, my home wasn’t safe or supportive. My parents carried deep trauma, so I never had that inviting space to retreat to at the end of the day. I searched for it elsewhere. I found pieces of it with my friends’ families—places where laughter was normal and parents were kind and present.

Many of those families were part of the LDS Church. Inspired by their example, I joined the Church and, right after high school, served a mission in the Philippines. That trip changed everything. I saw happiness in places where people had almost nothing, and it reshaped my idea of what truly matters. It also connected me to something that would guide the rest of my life: a passion for service.

I carried that passion into teaching. I wanted to be the adult I had needed as a kid. But over time, I realized I was giving everything to my work and leaving very little for the people who mattered most.

My daughter’s words at the carnival weighed heavily on me. Reaching my breaking point, I joined a local men’s group, The Evolution Project, and began breathwork. It wasn’t a quick fix, but it gave me space to be honest, let go of performance, and face the parts of me that felt out of sync. It brought a tremendous sense of calm and peace to my life as I learned how to act from integrity, not from a need for approval.

Around that time, my mom made the decision to take control of her life through therapy. As she worked through her past, she began showing up in my life. That shift helped rebuild our relationship and reminded me that real change is possible.

Inspired by that, my wife, Jodi, and I began investing in our own growth. For our 20th anniversary, we invested in therapy, wanting a stronger foundation—not just for us, but for our four kids. Today, our marriage is more connected than it has ever been. We are true partners.

Amid all these changes, the district wanted me to become a principal. I knew exactly what it would cost: longer hours, more politics, and less time with my family. And all for $37 more a month. After everything I had rebuilt, it felt like stepping backward. I declined and chose a different direction.

Today, I’m still serving others, just in a way that is more aligned with who I am. As a REALTOR®, I get to help people walk into the next chapter of their lives with confidence, knowing they are supported and advocated for. I’m still active in education by volunteering weekly at school and donating to teachers with every transaction through the Homes for Educators program I started. We are also very involved with our church. I’m working to become a certified breathwork facilitator and helping lead men’s groups as well. 

Now, each part of my life aligns with my values, my goals, and who I am at my core.

Real estate gives me the chance to do what I’ve always been drawn to: connect with people and support them as they navigate life. Whether someone is growing their family, sending a child off to college, or starting over, I listen closely to understand where they’re coming from and what they actually need—not just in a house, but in this moment of their life. Sometimes that means moving, other times it means staying put and upgrading your space. Whatever the situation, I offer trusted connections for everything from home services to the best local businesses. It’s a joy to be a resource and to serve people in ways that go beyond the transaction process.

 

Staying involved in the community is a significant part of our lives. My wife runs a children’s theater in town, and I help out with set design and creative projects. I volunteer weekly at my kids’ schools, coach two of my sons’ baseball teams, and have a passion for cooking that is really centered around gathering people and sharing quality time together. We are grateful to be raising our family in a place we truly care about and are proud to be a part of.

 

Sincerely,

 

Franco Preston, REALTOR®

LIC #13266410

(801) 403-4185

franco.bhurd@gmail.com