High School Principal of the Year

Jess Christen, Principal of Pleasant Grove High School, was selected by a committee of administrators, parents and Students as the Utah High School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Jess began his career in education as a Biology instructor and coach at Provo High School. He became the Assistant Principal at Centennial Middle School in 1996 and Principal at Pleasant Grove High School in 2003 and serves in that capacity at the present time. Jess will compete for the National Principal of the Year in 2009 in a contest sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals sponsored by MetLife.

Jess has implemented several programs to insure success for the students at his school. He has started the Small Learning Communities and the Advisory program which are designed to help all students to be successful academically and socially with the help of faculty and staff. Jess is considered as an administrator who dared to "dream big" about School facilities and has current renovations under way that have been needed for years. He "dreams big" about the power that come from a learning community that collaborates and works as a team to serve students. Jess is highly respected by th PTSA and the community for his willingness to "dream big" and to let everyone be involved in the learning community of Pleasant Grove High School. His Superintendent, Vernon Henshaw says. "Jess is a strong advocate for students and he sets high standards for students, teachers and staff and models the expected behavior. He is a competent and capable administrator".

Middle Level Principal of the Year

Robin Bowden, Principal at Syracuse Jr. High School was selected by a committee of administrators, parents and students, as the Utah Middle School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Robin began teaching at West High School as a Mathematics instructor she also taught at Logan High School, Northridge High School and Central Davis Jr. High. She became an Assistant Principal at Mueller Park in 1993 and became principal at Syracuse Jr. High and serves in that capacity at the present time. Robin will compete in the National Middle School Principal of the Year in 2009 in a constest sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife.

Robin's school was selected as one of the "Schools to Watch", for Utah, this past year. Robin believes in using creativity and imagination, in reaching her goals to work with all stakeholders, to ensure a safe environment with academic and behavioral options and to meet the needs of individual students. A parent Gayla Hancock says "She is a skillful devoted leader who thoroughly understands the meaning of an education and effectively communicated with parents and community on helping the students to maximize their potential in school and at home. Annie Williams, a teacher says, "Robin is the perfect or ideal principal. She is great with numbers, cares about her employees, works well with the public and most importantly cares about the success of her students. ”

Assistant Principal of The Year

Taran Chun, Assistant Principal at Dixon Middle School, in Provo School District was selected as the Utah Assistant Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. Taran was selected by a committee of administrators, parents and students, He will compete for the National Assistant Principal of the Year sponsored by VIRCO and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Taran began his career in Education as an At Risk Youth Counselor in 2000 but his first teaching assignment was at Leilehua High School as a PE, Health, Science and Math instructor and coach. He became the Assistant Principal at Dixon Middle School in 2004 and still serves in that capacity.

Taran has been involved in a project, as part of his Doctoral Program at the University of Utah, to get the growing Hispanic population to develop a network of support for students and families to enable Hispanic students to be successful at Dixon Middle School. Roy Kanno, a teacher at his schools, says, "Taran is an exceptional educator who comes to work every day with an attitude of service and love for staff and students. He is organized thorough and thoughtful. Students respect him and know he will always be fair in dealing with their concerns. He should be recognized and celebrated as a leader among leaders". His Superintendent, Randall Merrill says, "Taran contributes to the global goals of the district. He is active in advancing solutions to challenging educational issues faced by our district, especially those related to limited English proficient students".