- Valdez High School
- Principal
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Interim Principal: Brendon McMahon
Dear Valdez High School Parents & Community,
Good morning to all of you! I would like to take this opportunity in this email to introduce myself as the Principal of Valdez High School for this second semester.
I was made aware of this opportunity to come to Valdez and help support your school and community during December when I was browsing the Alaska Teacher Placement website. Then I interviewed with the staff of Valdez High as well as some of the District administration. Superintendent Tim Bauer and his staff have been amazing in supporting my transition into this role.
It was an exciting opportunity for me as I have been in Alaska education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal for nearly 30 years, but had never had the chance to work in Valdez.
Here is some background information about my professional experience. In July of 2022, I retired as the principal of Colony High School in Palmer. This was after being the principal there for 6 years and assistant principal for 10 years. Last year I also had the opportunity to serve as a temporary assistant principal at Houston High School as they transitioned into their new school building during the 4th quarter. I also have worked these past 2 years as a School Improvement coach with the State of Alaska, supporting rural Alaska schools on their school improvement efforts.
Prior to my many years at Colony HS, I worked in rural Alaska and Montana in the following schools: St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, MT; Mt. Edgecumbe HS in Sitka, AK; Walter Northway School in Northway, AK; Kotzebue Middle High School in Kotzebue, AK; and Chevak K-12 School in Chevak, AK.
I am excited to meet many of you and your families between now and when our students finish the school year on May 23, 2024. Please don't hesitate to stop by the high school to introduce yourself, and feel free to reach out via phone or email if that is easier.
Also in Valdez with me is my new wife (we were married in the Bahamas on November 7th) Leslie Beck and our two dogs, Buddy and Ruby. The warm welcome that we have received from everyone we've encountered has been so appreciated. We are grateful to a number of people who went far out of their way to help us secure a place to live during this semester that we'll be in your amazing town.
Sincerely,
Brendon McMahon