DRAPER — When teacher Courtney Wimberly was in her classroom a few weeks ago preparing for this year’s crop of kindergartners, she had Aug. 18 circled on her calendar.

The date signified more than just the first day of school at Oak Hollow Elementary in Draper.

“My maternity leave starts the same day school starts,” Wimberly told KSL.

Kindergarten Teacher Courtney Wimberly will now get paid maternity leave under a new Utah law. (Jack Grimm, KSL TV)

Just as planned, she gave birth to a baby girl on that date — a milestone that also corresponds with the very early stages of a new state law. Until the legislation took effect last month, many Utah teachers had no paid maternity leave – hard to believe in 2025, in a profession so dominated by women.

“I think people are just flabbergasted i

See Full Page