Utah Asian Affairs chief resigns post

Edith Mitko, Utah's director of Asian Affairs, is resigning her post to pursue a career in teaching.

Mitko, who is working on a dual English as a Second Language and Special Education endorsement at Brigham Young University, plans to become a special education teacher at Sunset Ridge Middle School. Mitko said she first started taking special education courses at the University of Utah in 1985, but dropped out because the midterms conflicted with her son's soccer game.

"I've always wanted to teach," said Mitko, now a grandmother. "I've been involved in education my whole life."

Mitko, who has served as director of Asian Affairs for 4 1/2 years, will be leaving the office on June 8. Mitko's position falls under the purview of the Office of Ethnic Affairs within the Utah Department of Community and Culture, which was created in 2005. Before then the offices were within the former Department of Community and Economic Development.

The job opening is posted at the office's Web site, www.ethnicoffice.utah.gov. The role includes working with the Asian Advisory Council and state agencies on their responsiveness to the ethnic communities' needs.

"I would have done the job I have now (director) as a volunteer," she said. "It was such a wonderful opportunity to work with all the ethnic communities."