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In March 2017 the Apline School District broke ground for the construction of a new high school in Eagle Mountain, Utah. In the process of getting things geared up for the construction, the school district selected Courtney Johnson as the new Principal for the currently un-named high school.
There have been many questions surrounding the new high school. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the new high school and how it will effect the community. But one of these unknowns is not who the principal will be, and who she really is. Courtney is a wife, mother, grandmother and a soon to be principal that “loves kids”. She does a lot of crazy things in her spare time, which will be less and less abundant as the high school construction starts. She can be found flying airplanes, and writing books into the late hours of night. She explains, “I especially love making cookies for my students where they can taste of the love in every bite!”
Not only does she have the drive and desire to help the students of the new high school, but she also has the formal background to be a great principal.
Courtney Johnson has been involved in education for over twenty years and has taught 4-12th grade students. She transferred to Alpine School district in 2011 where she was an elementary principal at Sego Lily Elementary. Before that, she was an assistant administrator at Springville Jr. High as a TSA. She also co-founded an aviation-based residential treatment center for at-risk secondary students and was responsible for the educational component. Courtney’s blend of academia and aviation interest began in high school where she received her private pilot’s license and enrolled in commercial flight school as a senior. She continued flying while attending Brigham Young University and joined the 99’s women’s flight organization. She competed in density altitude competitions and enjoyed flying around the state. Another interest Courtney pursued was fitness. She taught aerobics at BYU and was on the syndicated television workout program “Hooked on Aerobics” show that has been airing on television screens all over the world since its release in 1986. She also loved skiing and was a ski instructor at Snowbird for eight years. Courtney earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and a Masters Degree in Curriculum at Southern Utah University. After teaching for several years, Courtney obtained her administration endorsement at University of Phoenix. Courtney loves to write and has authored and co authored over a dozen books. My Troll Patrol, is her most recent project where she wrote several books in a children’s book series that teaches pro-social skills in 2013.
Courtney has several preliminary goals for the school. Courtney admits, that these goals are subject to change as she collaborates with the staff to create the high schools mission, vision, and value platform. But for now, she has identified 6 preliminary goals.
- Design learning environments to mirror some of the leading student-centered classrooms in the country. Our classrooms must use techniques such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and project based learning, as methods for learning the curriculum.
- Prepare students to be collaborative, creative, problem solvers, inventive, resourceful, curious, and persistent.
- Social-emotional support must also be a focus. I want all students to matter! We need to have the kind of school culture where students are accepting of one another so they can focus on learning and be happy.
- Take a look at our student achievement data and make academic goals to ensure high levels of learning and growth for all students.
- Build a student centered culture where students can explore endless possibilities!
- I’m sure there are many more, but this is a great start. Courtney’s goals and vision is all encompassing of her passion for the students. “I’m very concerned with the social-emotional well-being of kids as well. We need to track every single student and provide them with the support they need during these fundamental and trying years. We will need to have the entire community mentoring kids. I would love to begin the school with ‘Life Coaches’ where we have caring adults within the Eagle Mountain community connect with our students. Teachers, parents, custodians, City Council members, grandparents in the community, administrators, lunch ladies, everyone, must get involved. I’m not sure what that will look like, or if anyone has ever done this before in a high school setting, but we simply must have caring adults check-in with kids weekly and tracking them during their years at the high school. It can’t only be a parent checking their own child’s progress in Skyward, it has to be other adults as well. Some kids need a mentor other than their parents to check in on them. The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is so pertinent. Can you imagine if every student had someone besides their parent helping them succeed both academically and emotionally? Sometimes we forget how hard it is to be a teenager.”
“Build a vision of what learning looks like in the 21st Century and work together systematically to ensure that we engage kids the way they learn today.”
Courtney sees that education needs to be more than just educating children, but giving them life skills that will carry them into adulthood. “We need to provide a plethora of opportunities for kids. Clubs are a nice way to explore interest and become well-rounded individuals. In high school I attended Orem High where I joined the aviation club my senior year. That is where I realized I wanted to go attend commercial flight school. We simply must provide a wide-range of clubs for kids.”
You can contact Courtney to discuss your concerns, ideas, and vision of Eagle Mountain and the role the new high school will have. Her district email address is: courtneyjohnson@alpinedistrict.org. Courtney will be busy getting ready for the new high school, as well as being the assistant principal at Westlake High School. Which will sure to be the rival school for the new Eagle Mountain High School. Look out Lehi and American Fork, you have another soon to be rival. Lets hear the cheer…. GOOOO Kestrels (my plug for the school mascot). Courtney will get getting input for the mascot, colors, and school name. What do you think the new mascot should be? Leave your pick in the comments below.
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.