The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Jesse Sorenson as Principal of Payson Junior High School Principal in Nebo School District.
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Mr. Sorenson earned his bachelor’s degree in English Education from Utah Valley University and his master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
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Mr. Sorenson served as an assistant principal at Payson High for the past three years. He was an assistant principal of Payson Junior for three years and taught English at Payson Junior for a total of nine years. He excelled as an English teacher and a Second Language (ESL) migrant teacher.
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Mr. Sorenson was honored as the Nebo School District PEAK Award in 2016. He is also a two-time Leadville Trail 100 finisher.
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A colleague said, “Mr. Sorenson is very dedicated to his work as an educator. Jesse’s greatest strengths are his love and respect for students. He is a self-starter and self-motivated. Mr. Sorenson speaks fluent Spanish and was influential in starting a Latino’s in Action group. He has natural leadership skills and a calming influence.”
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Mr. Sorenson was honored with the 2014 Latinos in Action Administrator of the Year. He serves on many boards including the Specialized Foundation board of advisors with the ride for focus program, the Payson City Trails Committee, Communities that Care Board of Directors, and the Orphanage Support Services Organization Board of Directors.
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Mr. Sorenson’s motto includes: “The student first and always. Students must know that we, their teachers, believe in them. That the work we are engaged in is important; that we won’t give up on them even when they give up on themselves.
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Jesse said, “I’d like to thank all the great teachers and administrators who worked with me as a student; and, also, those I’ve had the opportunity to work with in this great profession.”
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Jesse enjoys doing humanitarian work in Mexico as a family. His interests include time with family as well as travel and endurance mountain bike racing. He is married to Patty; they have four children.
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Kevin Mecham – Payson High Assistant Principal
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The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Kevin Mecham as Assistant Principal of Payson High School in Nebo School District.
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Mr. Mecham received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University (BYU), and his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from BYU in 2002. Also, he was selected as the Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) recipient.
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Mr. Mecham served as an assistant principal at Salem Junior High for the past six years and at Payson Junior for one year. Previously he taught mathematics at Payson High for seven years and at Payson Junior High for two years. He was also the student council advisor at Payson High.
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Mr. Mecham was selected as a PEAK Award winner for Nebo School District in 2017 and was voted Teacher of the Year by Payson High in 2010. He organized a math tutoring lab and has coached girls’ softball at Payson High and boys’ basketball at Payson Junior High. He has worked with the scouting program for over 10 years.
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A colleague said, “Kevin’s easy demeanor and personality allows him to instantly develop a relationship with students, parents, and staff alike. Kevin approaches every interaction listening first. He was helpful and friendly to everyone and gave our school a great face for first impressions and meaningful problem solving. Kevin truly has the aptitude and skills necessary to be a successful leader and any school would benefit from his talents.”
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Kevin said, “By working in Nebo School District, I have been surrounded by wonderful people that are inspiring, kind, and extremely helpful.”
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Kevin enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and hiking. Recently, he hiked Angel’s Landing and had a fabulous time. Kevin is married to Valerie, and they have five children.
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Terry Krieger-James – Salem Junior High Assistant Principal
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The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Terry Krieger-James as Assistant Principal of Salem Junior High School in Nebo School District.
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Mrs. Krieger-James earned her bachelor’s degree in English Education from Brigham Young University and her master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
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Mrs. Krieger-James served as the dean of students at Salem Junior High for the past year. Previously she taught Honors English and AP Language and Literature at Maple Mountain High for five years and at Salem Hills High for four years. She was also co-advisor for the National Honor Society for both high schools. Mrs. Krieger-James served as debate coach, newspaper advisor, and department chair. She taught at Springville High for eight years and Spanish Fork Middle for six years.
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A colleague said, “Terry is a well-rounded educator who has accomplished a lot of things in her career. Terry has extensive experience in both high school and junior high settings and understands the students of each age group. It’s easy to tell that Terry is committed to the success of students, teachers, and the staff at Salem Junior High. She treats everyone with respect and handles every situation with professionalism and class.”
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Terry enjoys reading classical literature and spending time with her family. She loves going to Disneyland! Terry is married to Kurt and they have three children and seven grandchildren.
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Jason Beardall – Springville High Assistant Principal
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The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Jason Beardall as Assistant Principal of Springville High School in Nebo School District.
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Mr. Beardall earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Utah Valley University and his master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
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Mr. Beardall served as the dean of students at Springville High for the past three years. He taught health and physical education at Spanish Fork Junior for six years and campus supervisor at Springville High for two years. He has served as the athletic director and PE/health department chair as well as coached basketball. Most recently Jason was honored with the Synergy in Action Award 2017 by Springville High School.
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A colleague said, “Jason can be trusted with the most sensitive of issues. His work ethic and desire to make a positive difference in young people’s lives is unparalleled. On numerous occasions, Jason has had the ability to work with the most difficult student or parent and resolved the issue. He works fervently for the benefit of the student and sees the overall vision of how to make a school function efficiently and effectively. Jason has outstanding communication skills and is open to new ideas and practices. He has the students’ best interests at heart.”
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One of Jason’s favorite quotes is by Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
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Jason enjoys spending time with family, coaching athletics, sports, and landscaping. He is married to Joquel, and they have five children.
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Chad Argyle – Apple Valley Elementary Principal
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The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Chad Argyle as the Principal of Apple Valley Elementary School in Santaquin for Nebo School District.
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Mr. Argyle earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Weber State University and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University.
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Mr. Argyle served as the principal at Santaquin Elementary for the past nine years. He was the principal at Taylor Elementary for four years and the assistant principal at Springville Middle for one year. Mr. Argyle taught at Brockbank Elementary for seven years and was awarded the Teacher of the Year for Brockbank Elementary. Chad has also been involved on the Santaquin City Library Board from 2010 to 2014 including being president. He has served with the Santaquin Volunteer Fire Department from 1998 to now.
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Mr. Argyle was awarded the Nebo District Instructional Leader of the Year as well as Santaquin’s Mayor Choice of Citizen of the Year for Dedicated Community Service.
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One of Mr. Argyle’s colleagues said, “Chad has the highest level of integrity and honesty. He is energetic and willing to do whatever it takes to help all people succeed. Chad is open, honest, and hard working. He is eager to do the right thing and seems willing to spend the energy necessary to accomplish his goals. He cares about his staff and the children he works with and goes out of his way to serve others. He has the ability to motivate and inspire others to give their all to reaching the goals of the school. Chad has enthusiasm for life and for the principalship.”
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Chad said, “Every person, especially the children, in the Nebo School District I have worked with have influenced my personal and professional growth. To be a part of such an amazing profession filled with exceptional people is a very humbling experience for my family and me. I look forward to continuing to learn and improve from future interactions I will have with the parents, students, and teachers I have yet to get to know and connect.”
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Chad enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, running, and encouraging others to succeed. He is married to Sheree, and they have five children and reside in Santaquin.
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Ien Richins – Santaquin Elementary Principal
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The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Ien Richins as the Principal of Santaquin Elementary in Nebo School District.
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Mr. Richins earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah Valley University and his master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
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Mr. Richins served as the Title I Coordinator at Taylor Elementary for the past two years. He taught fifth grade at Spring Lake for one year and fifth grade at Taylor Elementary for six years.
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A colleague said, “Ien Richins possesses great leadership skills. These skills and abilities include effective communication, strong interpersonal skills, and a continual commitment to build effective collaboration and collective capacity throughout the district. He is also a master teacher. Ien plays a key role in promoting the success of every student at Taylor by advocating and nurturing a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. He models high work standards and has good judgment as he considers the rights and concerns of others and makes timely decisions.”
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Ien said, “I truly believe that ‘Education is not filling of the pail, but the lighting of the fire’ by William Butler Yeats. Every day as educators, we have the opportunity to stoke this fire and change the world. I am very excited to have this wonderful opportunity to serve the great community of Santaquin.”
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Ien enjoys spending time with his family, camping, fishing, and as much time at the beach as possible. He is married to Miranda, and they have four children.
