After 13 wonderful years with Fountain Hills Unified School District, I will bid farewell at the conclusion of the school year. I have been honored with an invitation from Mesa Public Schools to become the next principal at Skyline High School. I am going to work at a school that is four miles from home, and where both of my sons attend.

It’s a dream scenario, really, and an incredible chain of serendipitous events aligned for me as I became aware of this opportunity back in January. (I’ll be happy to share the story if you are interested!)

My years as a Falcon have left an indelible impression on who I am as a person and as a leader. I have been the recipient of tremendous support from parents, community members, supervisors, staff members and, most importantly, the hundreds of students who have passed through the halls of FHHS and FHMS under my watch. I am very proud of my work here, and exceedingly grateful for the opportunities the community of Fountain Hills has provided me.

I am grateful for the sincere trust and confidence Dr. Hermie, Dr. Myhr, Mr. Lawrence and Dr. Sweeney have all placed in me over the years as I transitioned from high school assistant principal, to middle school principal, to high school principal. I am grateful for the dozens of supportive emails and notes I have received over the years from parents, students and staff members.

I am grateful for the awesome teachers who welcomed me into their classrooms and accepted my guidance and leadership as we worked to make our schools great. I am grateful for the dedicated, hardworking support staff members who make us look really good by handling the thousands of important details involved in the successful operation of our high-performing schools.

I am grateful for the support of the many school board members with whom I have worked. Fountain Hills is so fortunate to have a solid track record of electing school board members who take their work seriously and truly demonstrate what it means to be lifelong learners and civil servants. And, most importantly, board members who know how to collaborate with district leadership to advance the school improvement initiatives of the District.

Please know that I am not leaving FHHS for any ‘ol job – I am leaving Fountain Hills to accept a once in a lifetime opportunity at a great high school that is in my own neighborhood, where my kids go! Every time I say it, I shake my head in disbelief, but acknowledge this incredible opportunity with absolute gratitude.

I hope you will understand and support my decision.

FHHS and FHUSD are in excellent hands. Dr. Sweeney and the administrative team will make the right moves to assure that our march toward absolute excellence continues.

I will always keep an eye on FHHS’ continued success from my new post at Skyline, and will always root for the Falcons and the success of FHHS!