Every year, Cache County School District’s chapter of the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals (UAESP) gathers to name an exceptional administrator as “Principal of the Year.”
“The award was created many years ago by UAESP,” said local UAESP coordinator and River Heights Elementary principal Stacie Williamson. “It gives principals the opportunity to shine a light on their peers who are doing great things in their schools. It is a truly special award because it comes from the admiration of your peers and the desire to say ‘Thank you for all you do.’”
This year’s meeting held a unique distinction: the votes were unanimous! White Pine Elementary School’s Principal, Derek Beer, was recognized for his gentle and thoughtful nature, which he uses to develop strong relationships with those he serves.
Principal Beer is not one to call attention to himself, but his colleagues showered him with praise.
“Derek is a calm, steady, leader,” one said. “He is a great advocate for education, he cares about people, and he is a great listener with a compassionate heart. What a great representative for Cache leadership.”
“He is positive and dedicated,” another wrote. “Whether he’s engaging with students, empowering teachers, or collaborating with peers, he brings a genuine kindness and a passion for education that leaves a lasting impact.”
Principal Beer was inspired to pursue educational administration by the examples of his father, a principal, and the principal he worked under as a sixth-grade teacher.
“I just remember seeing the impact that the principal was making at the school,” Beer said. “I became interested at that point. My dad was a principal as well. As I grew up, I saw the connections he made. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”
After 13 years of leading schools, he still calls his job “one of the best in the world,” crediting his relationships with students, staff, and families as encouraging and motivating.
“Relationships are the whole job,” Beer said. “My favorite part of the job is being able to work with the students. I love it. And often, it’s the students who struggle the most that are my favorite. I love building that connection with them throughout the year. I also really appreciate being be to build close relationships with our staff, our community partners, our community council, and our PTA. These relationships are so central to my work.”
A colleague praised Beer’s capacity to form these relationships.
“Derek is incredibly approachable,” they said. “He has the gift of making people feel like he is genuinely invested in them, no matter if it is the first time he has talked to them or the tenth. He is level-headed, kind, and funny. We are lucky to have him on our team. He is a leader among leaders.”
Principal Beer will be honored at the UAESP Midwinter Conference in St. George in February.
