Shaun Blakey – Assistant Principal of Springville High
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Shaun Blakey as the Assistant Principal of Springville High for Nebo School District.
Mr. Blakey earned his bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing and his master’s degree in School Counseling both from University of Phoenix. He earned an Educational Administrative License from Southern Utah University.
Mr. Blakey has served as the Assistant Principal of Mapleton Junior for the past year and as the Dean of Students at Springville High for the previous two years. He also served as a counselor at Maple Mountain High for ten years and Springville Junior for three years. Shaun has coached basketball for nine years and track and field for two years at Maple Mountain High. He coached basketball for two years and track and field for three years at Springville Junior.
Mr. Blakey was honored with the Work Based Learning Utah ACTE Career Guidance Award in 2020.
A colleague said, “Shaun has a caring leadership style and knows how to build strong relationships of trust. He has a goal to help every student, every teacher, and every staff member. He is a team player and collaborates with others in seeking solutions to problems. Shaun’s effective skills, competence, and attitude of caring will make Shaun a successful school administrator.”
One of Shaun’s favorite quotes is by Wonder: “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”
Shaun enjoys traveling, especially to warm places with beaches. He also enjoys hiking, running, and anything that pushes him physically and mentally such as marathons and Spartan races. Shaun is married to Melissa, and they have three children.
Wendi Nelson – Assistant Principal of Springville High
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Wendi Nelson as the Assistant Principal of Springville High for Nebo School District.
Mrs. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in History Education from Utah Valley University and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University.
Mrs. Nelson has served as the Dean of Students at Springville High for the past year. She taught U.S. History, AP U.S. History, U.S. Government & Citizenship, and World History for16 years and served as department chair for 12 years at Spanish Fork High. Wendi also coached cheerleading and song/pom for six years. Throughout the years, Mrs. Nelson took hundreds of students on historical tours of Washington DC and Boston.
Wendi was honored with the UEA Excellence in Teaching Award in 2015 and the Nebo PEAK Award in 2016.
A colleague said, “One of Wendi’s goals is to help every student, every teacher, and every staff member to be successful. She has a talent for recognizing strengths in others and helping them to maximize their potential. She makes a positive difference with her effective communication skills, competence, and caring attitude. She has proven to be an effective evaluator and mentor to other teachers. Wendi is professional and always handles difficult situations with integrity and respect.”
Wendi said, “I am humbled and grateful to the Board for entrusting me with this opportunity. I am excited to work alongside our dedicated educators and staff to help our students reach their full potential.”
One of Wendi’s favorite quotes is by Rita Pierson, “Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”
Wendi enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and spending time with my family. Wendi is married to Casey, and they have three daughters.
JR Brandon – Assistant Principal of Mapleton Junior High
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed JR Brandon as the Assistant Principal of Mapleton Junior High for Nebo School District.
Mr. Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree in University Studies from Utah Valley University and his master’s degree in School Counseling from University of West Alabama. He earned his Educational Leadership from Utah Valley University and is currently working on his Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands and should finish it this year.
Mr. Brandon has served as the Dean of Students at Mapleton Junior for the past two years. He served as a counselor at Salem Hills High for two years. Mr. Brandon was a special education teacher at Spanish Fork High for two years and worked in a behavior unit at Salem Junior for a year. He also worked as a special education technician at Spanish Fork Junior and Salem Junior High for two years. Mr. Brandon coached football and track at Spanish Fork High and was the Native Club Advisor for both Spanish Fork High and Salem Hills High.
A colleague said, “JR is an exceptional educator. He comes with a vast background and valuable skills. He has the rare ability to connect with students and create a positive learning environment. He is patient and understanding and always goes the extra mile to make sure that his students are able to succeed. JR is professional, always handling difficult situations with integrity and respect.”
JR said, “I am excited to continue working with our educational partners in the Mapleton Junior High area. I am committed to fulfilling the mission of Nebo School District by engaging, empowering, and collaborating to ensure student success. I look forward to working with the faculty and staff at Mapleton Junior High in order to offer the best educational experience to our students and community members.”
One of JR’s favorite quotes is by Lou Holtz, “Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you respond to it.”
JR enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends. He is married to Erin, and they have three sons.
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