3 Utah principals honored by peers

Three Utah administrators, from the bottom of the state to the top, received top honors Thursday as secondary principals of the year from the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals.

Carl Boyington, executive director of the association, said the awards are a way to recognize outstanding administrators in Utah. The winners are also automatically entered into a national competition.

"(The award) means a great deal — there are some fantastic principals in this state, and to be selected by them to represent them is a huge endorsement," said Timpview High School principal George Bayles, who was named High School Principal of the Year.

One of the things that really stood out this year was all of the winners are student-oriented, Boyington said.

"All of the things they do — the different programs that they have in their schools and the new kinds of things that they've implemented — have all been aimed at student success," he said. "They are as concerned about the struggling student as they are the high achievers."

Bayles started his career teaching and coaching in 1969 and has served as an assistant principal at Pleasant Grove High, principal at Dixon Middle School and has led Timpview since 2001.

He has implemented a number of student programs to ensure school improvement along with the Sixth Man Club, a program that encourages sportsmanship at the school.

"I never go to school a day that I dread going to work," Bayles said. "I love every minute of it — I love the kids, I love the association with great teachers, and there's a vibrancy that comes from being around youth."

Snow Canyon Middle School principal John Goldhardt, named Middle School Principal of the Year, began his career as a teacher at West Jordan High in 1989. He also served as principal at Valley Junior High and Murray High before taking the reins at Snow Canyon Middle School in St. George.

"I just love the adventure and the excitement of seeing positive change," Goldhardt said. "Adolescents are always so resilient and honest and you can see the growth — to be a part of that process is exciting."

Mount Logan Middle School assistant principal Douglas Beach, who was named Assistant Principal of the Year, started out as a biology teacher in the Cache School District Freshman Center in 1994. Before his current post he served as the assistant principal at Logan High School and currently works with Dan Johnson, last year's Secondary Principal of the Year and national finalist.