His students love going to gym class, but not for the sit-ups and field games.  

Kylon Page, a physical education teacher at Pima Butte Elementary, is dedicated not only to his students’ physical well-being but also their mental health. He strives to ensure they always feel safe and comfortable in school.  

In fact, Page is working on his own to enlist social workers and others to create a free youth service, which would have no connection with and would be independent of Maricopa Unified School District where he works. 

Young Adults Learning Love, or YALL, would act as a 24/7 hotline for students who need life advice, guidance or one-on-one support.  

“Kids feel like they’re not talked to or listened to,” Page said. “And sometimes, they might not have the resources or money to get help.” 

Kylon Page [submitted]
YALL would start on social media. Page is creating Facebook pages and using other platforms for students to reach out — privately in an inbox or publicly on a home page. 

During his eight years of teaching and coaching, Page has noticed that children don’t always reach out when they’re struggling.  

“They turn to social media to relate to other kids,” Page said.  

Online, a YALL administrator will respond to assist and assess the students’ needs.  

Page hopes to build a team and expand his service to other school districts, cities and states, as he did with his Family 1st Piranhaz youth basketball program.  

“I get the satisfaction of helping people,” Page said. “I love being around kids. This is something I’ve been wanting to do.” 

Page loves building rapport with his students, taking the time to know them on a personal level and memorizing their names within the first week of school.  

“I know I’m going to be happy when I go into school,” Page said.  

Page started Family 1st Piranhaz in 2011, a nonprofit basketball club for students in second through 12th grade — again on his own and independent of MUSD.  

The Piranhaz give children the opportunity to play club basketball at the lowest cost possible.  

Members pay $20 a month, but Page doesn’t harp on the price. If a student is struggling to find the funds, Page would rather take the money out of his own pocket. 

“I’ll never put a price on it,” Page said. “I learned basketball for free, and it kept me out of trouble.” 

Family 1st Pirhanaz now has branches in Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and soon Texas.  

Page also owns KP’s Place, an outdoor venue near the Calvary Chapel at 44301 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy.  

“(I’ve) done a few fun events,” Page said. “Pop-up shops, comedy shows, paint and sips, birthdays. (I’ve) added the baseball net, and soon, mini golf.”  

It seems Page wants to do it all. If something isn’t offered in Maricopa, he’s going to jump on it for the benefit of his students. 

“People ask me, ‘How are you so great with kids?’ (It’s) because I was one,” Page said. “And it’s just in me.”