New principals and assistant principals for the 2019-20 School Year
The Back to School season is in full swing at Cache County School District! As students, teachers, and staff throughout the valley prepare for a new school year, some of our schools have the added excitement of a new principal or assistant principal. We asked our new administrators to share a little about themselves, as well as what they consider to be the best thing about education.
Trudy Wilson is the new principal of Birch Creek Elementary
“The best thing about working in education is seeing children grow up into amazing adults. The growth that happens during the course of elementary school is an incredible experience. I feel fortunate to be a part of the process! I'm excited to continue the great things that have been happening at Birch Creek.”
Trudy received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Utah State University. She taught one year in the Cache County School District before moving to Tempe, AZ where she received her Masters of Science in administration from Arizona State University. She also taught in the Tempe Elementary School District for 10 years. In 1999, she moved back to Cache Valley and since returning has worked as the assistant principal of Cedar Ridge Middle School, the principal of Summit Elementary, and is now going to be the principal of Birch Creek Elementary.
Troy Pugmire is the new principal of Greenville Elementary
“I love to see the light in children’s eyes when they learn something new. It is fascinating to see the growth and improvement of the students. I enjoy working with dedicated teachers who see their work as an investment in the future. I appreciate partnering with parents to help their children learn academics and good character. I’m so excited to meet the students and families of Greenville Elementary. I have a passion for education, and I’m dedicated to helping the students have successful school experiences.”
Troy earned an associate degree in elementary education from Ricks College. From Utah State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and a master’s degree in instructional technology. He has earned an Administrative Endorsement as well as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement. He taught third grade for seven years, fifth grade for eight years, and has been a principal since 2013.
Joel Winkler is the new assistant principal of Mountain Crest High School
“Hands down the best thing about working in education is the students and the relationships you build with the entire community. Every day is an adventure and I can't imagine anything else being as much fun as working in schools. Mountain Crest is a fantastic school with a long and great tradition in our valley. I can't wait to be a part of that tradition and to help lift the school to the next level.”
Joel has worked in Cache County for 10 years, spending all of that time at Spring Creek Middle School as a teacher and then a counselor. He also taught in Juab and Sevier counties for four years earlier in his career before coming to Cache, totaling 14 years in education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah State University and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Phoenix. He completed the administrative program through Utah State University.
John Anderson is the new principal of North Cache Middle School
“I am excited to be heading to North Cache and to have the opportunity to make it the best educational experience possible for the students who will attend there. The best thing about working in education is surrounding myself with people who care about children and making a difference in their lives.”
John has a bachelor’s degree in industrial education and physical education, both from Utah State University, a master’s in health administration from Brigham Young University, and a School Administration Certification through the University of Wyoming. John has been in the Cache County School District for 11 years: five years at North Cache Middle School as an assistant principal and the past six years as the principal of Birch Creek Elementary School. Prior to coming to Cache County School District, he was the principal of Preston Junior High School and Evanston Middle School.
Jeff Keck is the new principal of Providence Elementary School
“Considering my experience and background, I can't think of a better fit for me as a new administrator. I know that Providence is a great community and I am told that there is a great parental investment. I have worked for years in a dual language immersion school and understand the challenges and needs that are unique to this environment. I hope to be a good listener and learner as we continue to build on the amazing things already happening at Providence Elementary. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with, in the words of Mrs. Wilson, the BEST staff she has ever worked with. I am also excited to join with these individuals in forging a strong partnership with the families in this unique community so that we can continue to provide the students of Providence with the best educational experience possible.”
Jeff earned a bachelor's degree in French with a minor in political science from Utah State University. He continued at Utah State University to earn a master's degree in second language teaching. He started his career teaching entry-level French courses for three semesters at Utah State while working on his masters. From there he taught for six years as a third-grade French Dual Immersion teacher and one year as the English counterpart. He is currently finishing his third year as the assistant principal of a year-round Spanish immersion school.
Brittany Foster is the new principal of Ridgeline High School
“The best thing about working in education is working with the students. I absolutely love working with and getting to know the students on a daily basis and to see them learn and grow over the four years they are at Ridgeline. I am incredibly lucky for the opportunity to serve my community by working with our students and their families. I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve the families and teachers within the Ridgeline community and look forward to helping Ridgeline remain one of the top high schools in the State.”
Brittany earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with a minor in chemistry from Utah State University. She taught eighth grade at Sand Ridge Junior High School in the Weber School District for one year, then moved to South Cache Middle School where she taught eighth grade integrated science for 10 years. After earning a master's degree in instructional leadership from Utah State University, she began her administrative career at Mountain Crest High School. She was the assistant principal of Mountain Crest High School for two years prior to becoming the assistant principal of Ridgeline High School.
DeAnna Stallings is the new assistant principal of Ridgeline High School
“The best thing about working in education is collaborating with dedicated teachers and administrators who understand that learning can no longer be a variable in the education equation. Education is my passion, and I am looking forward to serving the parents, students, faculty, and administration of the Ridgeline community to ensure that all students learn at high levels. I am thrilled and honored to join the Ridgeline family. I look forward to getting to know and working with the students, parents, faculty, and staff and being a part of the culture of excellence and unity that is Ridgeline High School.”
DeAnna received her bachelor’s degree in English education and her master’s degree in education leadership from Utah State University. She’s been an educator for 26 years. She taught English at Logan High School for 20 years, and during that time period taught everything from ninth grade English to AP English Literature and Concurrent Enrollment English. She then took a position as the District Instructional Specialist. She has spent the last two years in the Logan High School Innovations Program as the reading specialist and program coordinator.
Doug Snow is the new principal of South Cache Middle School
“The best thing about working in education is getting to work with kids! You cannot duplicate the energy, excitement, and enthusiasm of kids in a school! It is a blessing to be a part of this great occupation! I am very excited about the opportunity to be the next principal at South Cache Middle School. I had two kids go through South Cache and it was a great experience for them as well as for Kimberly and I. South Cache has a long history of excellence and has some amazing new talent in their teaching staff. I look forward to working with and learning from them!”
Doug has been teaching or working in education administration for 28 years, with 26 years in Utah and two in Idaho. Doug received his undergraduate degree from Utah State University with a teaching major in physics, and a minor in mathematics and coaching/physical education. About 10 years ago, he received an administrative endorsement from Southern Utah University. He went back to Utah State University to get a master's degree in education, and he later returned to upgrade his math credentials to a level four math endorsement and picked up a statistics minor. He has taught math and/or physics and astronomy at Logan High School, Sky View High School, Mountain Crest High School, and Spring Creek Middle School. He has been an administrator at Logan High School, Spring Creek Middle School, and Mountain Crest High School.
Blair Powell is the new principal of Spring Creek Middle School
“I am happy to be back at Spring Creek, where I have such great memories of the students and teachers I have worked with in the past. Spring Creek has always been like home to me, and I am excited to be back.
I live in Mendon with my wife, four kids, two dogs, five chickens, and five cats that have adopted us. Besides my family, and education, my interests include reading (I’m at my happiest when I am in the middle of a good novel), sports (especially football, and wrestling), running, fishing, hiking, hunting, skiing, and traveling.”
Blair has worked in Cache County School District for over 20 years and has taught a variety of subjects including Spanish, art, English, history, P.E., and science. He has been an administrator at Spring Creek Middle School, Willow Valley Middle School, Mountain Crest High School, and South Cache Middle School.
Aimee McNeil is the new principal of Summit Elementary
“The best thing about working in education is the students. It’s rewarding to set goals and see progress with each student and to celebrate together when those goals are achieved. I also enjoy working as a team with teachers and parents to provide a safe school environment, both physically and emotionally, and to provide quality education. I feel honored and excited to be part of the Summit Elementary team. I appreciate the warm welcome I have already received and look forward to working and learning with students, parents, and staff at Summit Elementary.”
Aimee earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Utah State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. She is currently working on a Reading Endorsement. She has been working in Cache County School District for 10 years. She began her career teaching first grade at Providence Elementary School and then taught fourth grade for seven years. She then accepted a position as Literacy Facilitator at Mountainside and Wellsville elementary schools. This position was followed with Aimee becoming the Literacy Facilitator at Cedar Ridge Elementary and the district Language Arts Facilitator for grades 4-6.