SALT LAKE CITY – The principals of Draper’s Corner Canyon High School and Highland’s Mountain Ridge Junior High School, along with the assistant principal of Santa Clara’s Lava Ridge Intermediate School, were named 2016 Utah Secondary Principals of the Year by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals in a ceremony in Salt Lake City.
The Utah Association of Secondary School Principals will later determine whether Corner Canyon High Principal Mary Bailey or Mountain Ridge Junior High Principal Mark Whitaker will represent Utah in the national Secondary Principal of the Year competition. Lava Ridge Intermediate School Assistant Principal Greg Bozarth will represent Utah in the Assistant Principal of the Year competition.Bailey began her career as a teacher in the Jordan School District and has also worked in the Cassia County School District in Idaho before returning to Utah where she worked in the Jordan School District office and as principal of Copper Hills High School before becoming principal at Corner Canyon. While at Corner Canyon Baily initiated:
- A Principal’s Roundtable to give students a voice in school matters.
- A Freshman Academy to help students transition from middle school.
- A partnership with Microsoft that brings in Microsoft engineers to teach computer science courses.
“She is the heart of Corner Canyon High School,” said Corner Canyon staff member Terri Francis. “And the motivator, the mentor, and the supporter of everyone in our school. She is revered by the entire community.” Whitaker has been principal at Mountain Ridge Junior High since 2010, the same school where he began his teaching career. While there he implemented the Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) program that allows students and teachers to address academic issues when more support is needed outside of regular class time. “Mark is the champion for equality and seeks the best solutions to every problem,” said Mountain Ridge science teacher Matthew Wooley. “He has the ability to diffuse difficult situations and turn them into positives, an ability for which students, teachers, and parents respect him.” Bozarth began his teaching career at Dixie Middle School, but has been assistant principal at Lava Ridge Intermediate School since 2003. While at Lava Ridge, Bozarth developed a response-to-intervention website to help teams of teacher intervene with students. “Greg Bozarth is a leader that is armed with a passion for education, a collaborative spirit, research-based knowledge, and a can do/will do attitude,” said Lava Ridge Principal Kalyn Gubler.
Carl Boyington, executive director, UASSP
801-402-0581 ∙ [email protected]
The Alpine School District Board of Education announces the retirement of Superintendent Vernon M. Henshaw. During his 38 years of service in public education, Dr. Henshaw taught social studies at Lehi High School and filled many administrative positions; specifically, assistant principal at Provo High School and principal of American Fork and Timpanogos high schools, and assistant superintendent of 10-12 schools, before serving as superintendent of schools, where he has led Alpine School District through growth, transition, and academic improvement for 15 years. Dr. Henshaw’s retirement date is July 31, 2015.
Dr. Henshaw has left an indelible mark on Alpine School District. His innovation and leadership have propelled the District into the 21st century as a model of how public education can successfully serve the needs of each student. His record of accomplishments is impressive. Yet the most significant legacy he will leave is the positive and personal connections he made with employees, parents and students. District leaders, administrators and employees have experienced high levels of positive morale and employee satisfaction throughout Dr. Henshaw’s tenure. He has a reputation for treating everyone with dignity and respect. In return, he has earned respect and admiration.
Pleasant Grove High School Volleyball Coach Allyce Jones, has recently been named the National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 West Sectional Coach of the Year in the sport of volleyball. The West section includes the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.