Bart Peery – Appointed Administrator of the Advanced Learning Center (ALC)
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Bart Peery as the Administrator of the Advanced Learning Center (ALC) for Nebo School District.
Mr. Peery graduated from Payson High school and received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Mathematics both from Brigham Young University. He earned his Education Administration License from Southern Utah University.
Currently, Mr. Peery serves as the Principal of Salem Hills High for the past 10 years. He served as the Principal of Payson High for three years and Assistant Principal for six years. Before that, he taught math, physical education, drivers education, French, and Principals of Leadership for 17 years.
Mr. Peery was selected as Utah’s Principal of the Year in 2017. He was inducted into the Nebo Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. Bart enjoyed coaching football, basketball, track, and soccer for over 25 years. He was a head football coach for 9 years.
Principal Peery has initiated a social media blitz that truly engages his students. The students want to be a part of his positive reflections on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts. He is known for his hashtags #shhshero, #changingtheworld, #GoSkyhawks.
Principal Peery said, “Being a principal is the very best job in the world! I have the opportunity to change the world every single day–one person at time!”
A colleague said, “Mr. Peery is an administrator who deeply cares for each individual student that is under his stewardship. He is constantly striving to be out amongst the students as often as his responsibilities allow. He makes an effort to get to know each student and lets each student know he cares.”
Fundamentally, Bart believes, “Each day, I have choices to make. I choose to be happy. I choose to be positive. I choose to make the world a better place.”
Bart enjoys spending time with his family and playing with the grandkids. He is married to Karolyn, and they have three boys and six grandchildren.
Ryan McGuire – Appointed Principal of Salem Hills High
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Ryan McGuire as the Principal of Salem Hills High School for Nebo School District.
Mr. McGuire received his bachelor’s degree in History from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
Currently, Mr. McGuire serves as the Principal of Mt. Nebo Middle for the past two years, Principal of Springville Junior High for four years, Assistant Principal of Payson High for five years, and Assistant Principal of Payson Junior High for two years. He taught Spanish and history at Spanish Fork High for three years, and history at Spanish Fork Middle for five years. He also coached basketball throughout his teaching career including Head Coach for Girls’ Varsity Basketball at Spanish Fork High.
Mr. McGuire has earned several awards including the 2021 Utah Middle School Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year Finalist in 2012, 2014, and 2019 all chosen by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals. He was honored with a Nebo School District PEAK (Positive Energy And Kindness) Award in March of 2018, recognized as the Region IV Coach of the Year in 2006 (SFHS Girls’ Basketball), Nebo Notable for Nebo School District in 2006, and Teacher of the Month for Spanish Fork Middle in 2000.
Mr. McGuire said the best award he has ever received is a drawing of a knight, from one of his severe/profound special needs student, that reads, “Mr. McGuire – You’re a Superknight!”
A colleague said, “Ryan is an outstanding individual. He has an ability to develop positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty. All tasks given to him are completed with efficiently and done effectively. Ryan is well organized and accomplishes high-quality goals. His love of students, and his sincere desire to make a difference in their lives makes him an excellent administrator.”
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to become a Skyhawk. One of the reasons I became an educator was because of the love shown to me by one of my heroes and coach, Mr. Bart Peery. I know I am one of many who have been influenced by this incredible man. I hope I can follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy of working tirelessly for students and teachers at the school. I am so excited to get to know the students, staff, and parents of Salem Hills High and will do all I can to become #oneofus,” stated Ryan. “I will miss tremendously the students and staff of Mt. Nebo Middle School. We have been on an extraordinary two-year journey together, and I will be forever grateful for the work and dedication that happens each day at this wonderful school. I love you guys, and I am proud to have been a Panther!”
When asked about his feelings, he said, “Nebo is such a great place to work and raise a family. I am a product of this wonderful district and have been influenced by many great leaders. What we do as educators matter! I feel humbled to be a small part of such a wonderful profession and group of people. I am especially grateful to my wife of 25 years, Trudy, for all her support of the many late nights and hours spent doing something that I love.”
Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, and anything outdoors. He is married to Trudy, and they have four children.
Rhet Rowley – Appointed Principal of Mt. Nebo Middle School
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Rhet Rowley as the Principal of Mt. Nebo Middle School for Nebo School District.
Mr. Rowley received his bachelor’s degree in Social Science and master’s degree in Educational Leadership both from Brigham Young University (BYU). He was selected as a candidate for the Leadership Preparation Program (LPP).
Currently, Mr. Rowley serves as the Assistant Principal at Mt. Nebo Middle for the past two years. He served as Assistant Principal of Springville Junior for three years, and Diamond Fork Junior for two years. Mr. Rowley taught geography and World Civilizations at Mapleton Junior for four years, and served as the Dean of Students as well as the Athletic Director at Payson High for two years.
Rhet was recognized with a Nebo School District PEAK (Positive Energy And Kindness) Award in 2020 and a PTA Excellence in Service Award. He currently serves on the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals (UASSP) Board.
A colleague said, “Rhet understands that the true purpose of schools is to motivate, celebrate achievement, and remediate in a timely and supportive manner. He also has the natural ability to lead people.”
Mr. Rowley’s motto is from William Shakespeare: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
Rhet said, “It is an honor to be able to be the Principal at Mt. Nebo Middle. I believe in our faculty, students, and community and am excited to continue a tradition of excellence here. We are building something special at Mt. Nebo Middle, and I look forward to continue the climb.”
Rhet enjoys camping, fishing, cooking, reading, sports, and anything else I can do with my family. He grew up in Santaquin, Utah, where he and his wife, Chelsea, continue to live and rear their four children.
Khristen Massic – Appointed Assistant Principal of Mt. Nebo Middle School
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mrs. Khristen Massic as the Assistant Principal of Mt. Nebo Middle School for Nebo School District.
Mrs. Massic received her bachelor’s degree in Technology and master’s degree in Educational Leadership both from Brigham Young University.
Currently, Mrs. Massic serves as the Dean of Students for Mt. Nebo Middle School for the past two years revitalizing and rebranding the school through public relations and social media. She served as a mentor and CTE Specialist for the Advanced Learning Center for six years, taught drafting and robotics at Springville High for three years, and drafting and engineering at Riverton High for three years.
Khristen received numerous awards including the ITEEA High School Teacher of the Year in 2018 from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, the UTEE High School Teacher of the Year in 2018 from the Utah Technology and Engineering Educators Association, ALC Teacher of the Year 2017, UACTE New Teacher of the Year in 2014 from the Utah Association for Career and Technical Education , and CTE Teacher of the Year while at Riverton High in 2011.
“Teaching shouldn’t be stagnant or repetitious, we should always be striving for ways to improve our students’ capacity for learning to prepare them for life,” stated Khristen. “Good leadership allows for ideas and initiatives to be established from the ground up and then supported by those in leadership positions.”
A colleague said, “Khristen has a strong technology background and has done an amazing job with our school’s website and social media platforms. She seeks feedback from students and is a true influencer. She understands what it takes to be an effective administrator.”
When asked about her feelings, Khristen said, “I’m honored to be a part of this wonderful district and am truly blessed to have worked with so many mentors: Ben Ford, Suzanne Kimball, Troy Peterson, Ryan McGuire, and Rhet Rowley. I’m grateful for their knowledge and continued support as I made the choice to follow this path in education. I’m also grateful to Jared as he is my rock and keeps me grounded as well as never letting me forget the teachers’ perspective.”
Khristen enjoys reading, pod casting, figure skating, and spending time with family. She has coached private and group figure ice skating. Khristen is married to Jared, and they have three children with one baby on the way.
Sarah Brunson – Appointed Assistant Principal of Maple Grove Middle School
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mrs. Sarah Brunson as the Assistant Principal of Maple Grove Middle School for Nebo School District.
Mrs. Brunson received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University and her master’s degree in Education Administration from Southern Utah University.
Currently, Mrs. Brunson serves as the Principal of Mt. Loafer Elementary for the past five years; and previously as the Dean of Students at Diamond Fork Junior High. She also served as a Facilitator Intern at East Meadows and Canyon Elementary. Mrs. Brunson taught first grade at Spanish Oaks Elementary for four years and at East Meadows for three years.
Mrs. Brunson was honored with the Nebo School District PEAK (Positive Energy And Kindness) Award in 2015, East Meadows Teacher of the Year for 2012 and recognized as Committed to the Future Award for 2008.
Mrs. Brunson’s philosophy states in part, “My philosophy is founded on having the best interest of all students’ in mind first. I believe it is important to help students feel safe and secure, receive the best education, and enjoy learning along their journey. It is important to be on the cutting edge in the field of education and implement technology into the classrooms as well as stay up with the latest in collaboration, instruction and programs.”
A colleague said, “Sarah is amazing. She is a talented self-starter who makes things happen, never afraid to try something new or to take on a new responsibility. She is thoughtful, creative, outgoing, and a great communicator. Sarah has seamlessly made the transition from elementary to secondary. She is definitely a natural, a consummate educator dedicated to improving the lives of students and teachers.”
“I love being an educator and feel fortunate to have had the leaders and peers in my life that I have. I could not have asked for a better school than Mt. Loafer to allow me to establish my roots in educational leadership. The students, teachers, staff, and all stakeholders have been amazing to work with over the past five years. Elementary education has always been where my heart is, and I am thankful for past administrators like RaShel Shepherd, Dwight Liddiard, and Dave Harlan for providing me with rich opportunities to teach and lead in their schools,” stated Sarah. “I am thrilled for this new chapter in my professional career and to have the opportunity to lead and learn in Secondary Education. As the Dean of Students at Diamond Fork Junior and in working with Troy Peterson and Jeff “Whites” Nelson, I was able to see a new angle in education as a leader. I look forward to working side by side with Nate Whitney and the staff of the new Maple Grove Middle School.
Sarah enjoys running, traveling, golfing, skiing, baseball, and any activity that we can do spending time with family. She is married to Reese, and together they have five children.
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