Nebo Administrative Appointments

John DeGraffenried – Director of College, Career & Technical Education 
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed John DeGraffenried as the new Director of College, Career and Technical Education for Nebo School District.

Most recently, Mr. DeGraffenried served as the Secondary Director for the past five years. He served as Springville High School’s Principal for two years as well as Principal for Spanish Fork Junior High for five years.  Mr. DeGraffenried was the Assistant Principal of Spanish Fork Junior and Assistant Principal at Payson Junior for two years each. Mr. DeGraffenried taught drafting and multi-media classes at Spanish Fork High as well as technology at Landmark High. He spent eight years teaching technology at Spanish Fork Junior High. Mr. DeGraffenried has an extensive background in career and technical education.

Mr. DeGraffenried has won several awards including the prestigious Huntsman Excellence in Education Award, the International Technology Education Association Program Excellence Award, the Utah Industrial Education Association Technology Program of the Year Utah Trade, and served as Technology Educator Association President.

John is married to Lynette, and they have four children.

Ann Anderson – Director of Secondary Education
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Ann Anderson as the Secondary Director of Nebo School District. 

Mrs. Anderson received her administrative degree from Brigham Young University in 2000 and her master’s and undergrad degree from Utah State University.

Mrs. Anderson most recently served as the Human Resource Director for the past six years, Salem Hills High principal for three years, Springville High principal for five years, and Spanish Fork Junior principal for two years. Mrs. Anderson has taught everything from English, World History, and World Geography.

Mrs. Anderson received the Excellence in Education Award given by Springville PTA. She was awarded the Women in Leadership Community Service Award in 2009.  She has been on numerous committees including Co-Chairman of Region VII Board of Managers, an evaluator of the Northwest Accreditation Team, a Springville Art Museum board member, and served on a Task Force assignment for the State Superintendent.

Ann is married to Val. They enjoy outdoor family activities, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, spending time at their cabin with their three children and grandchildren. 

Mr. Ken Van Ausdal – Director of Human Resources
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mr. Ken Van Ausdal as the Human Resource Director for Nebo School District. Mr. Van Ausdal earned his bachelor’s degree in Education Psychology as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership both from Brigham Young University. 

Mr. Van Ausdal started his career in Nebo School District at Santaquin Elementary teaching special education for five years. He then participated in the Leadership Preparation Program; and in 1998, Ken accepted an administrative position in Jordan School District serving as a secondary administrator for two junior high schools and of Butler Elementary. Mr. Van Ausdal served as the Principal of Salem Elementary in Nebo School District for four years and Principal of Springville Junior for five years. He served as the Coordinator of Human Resource for one year.

Ann Anderson said, “Ken came to human resources one year ago, and everyone in the office just loves him.  He has been a delight to work with! Ken is personable with employees and willing to take on any assignment given him. He looks for new and better ways to do things and is a great problem solver. Ken will be very supportive of the employees of Nebo School District!”

Ken was born in Provo, Utah and was reared in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  He married Peggy Bird of Springville, and they have four children.

Michael Larsen – Director of Special Education & Federal Programs

The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Michael Larsen as the Special Education and Federal Programs Director for Nebo School District. 

Mr. Larsen served as Principal of Sierra Bonita Elementary for the past five years and Rees Elementary for the previous seven years. Mr. Larsen was selected as Rookie Principal of the Year for Nebo School District and Principal Innovator of the Year by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals. He was also selected the Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) at BYU.

Elementary Director, Julie Warren, said, “Mike Larsen is a leader who leads by example.  Mike has excellent communication skills, vision, and the ability to share his passion for education with others.  He is a man of integrity and is devoted to doing what is best for kids.  Mike is superb in making personal connections with children. Children can feel his love and concern through his enthusiasm and positive energy.”

Mr. Larsen said, “I am grateful to be surrounded by many positive role models from family and community continually. I am proud to be a part of the Nebo School District community and to work with the high caliber of people who give so much to ensure a quality education for all students.”

Mike enjoys outdoor family recreational activities and coaching city recreational soccer. He is married to Cindy, and they have five children.

Brent Coffman – Coordinator of Special Education
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Brent Coffman as the Special Education and Federal Programs Coordinator for Nebo School District. 

Mr. Coffman earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology, both from Brigham Young University. He also received his Administrative Endorsement from Southern Utah University. Mr. Coffman works as a Triage Crisis member working for Mountain View Hospital since 2000. He continues to serve as adjunct faculty at BYU for 15 years. Mr. Coffman served as a Nebo District’s school psychologist from 1995 to 1998 and then as the Nebo District psychologist from 1998 to 2014. He is responsible for assessment for the Youth-in-Custody and Special Education behavior units in the Cornerstone program. Mr. Coffman’s current assignment is Summit Center building administrator. 

Mr. Coffman received the School Psychologist of the Year in 2013-2014 by the Utah Association of School Psychologists and the PEAK Performance Award in 2014 by Nebo School District.

J. Lynn Jones, Special Education Federal Programs Director, said, “Brent Coffman is a highly skilled professional. He has extensive experience as a school and district psychologist. Brent is also the leader of our crisis team and is known for his calm demeanor and problem solving abilities when faced with significant challenges. As an administrator, Brent has demonstrated a clear focus on students and manages to make available appropriate resources so that student needs are met. In our department, we rely on Brent to help us decipher and appropriately comply with state and federal rules and procedures.”

One of Mr. Coffman’s favorite quotes is, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” by Carol Buchner.

Brent enjoys swimming, beaches, Disneyland, and skiing. He is married to Christine, and they have six children.

Mike Brown – Administrator of the Summit Center
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Mike Brown as Administrator of the Summit Center. 

Mr. Brown received his bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from Northern Arizona University and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership degree from the University of Phoenix. Currently, Mr. Brown is the Coordinator of Student Services and served as Principal of Springville High for four years and as Assistant Principal of Springville High for two years. Mr. Brown was the Principal of Rio Rico in Arizona as well as High School Athletic Director. 

A colleague said, “As an administrator, Mr. Brown had to deal with difficult situations, and did so in a professional manner. Mr. Brown was able to build a good rapport with the staff, students and the community. Mr. Brown’s success is rooted in his respectful, caring and positive relationships he establishes with students.”

Mike has received numerous awards including the prestigious President’s Award for Excellence from the University of Arizona. He served as a high school athletic director, History department chair, and received Teacher of the Year award in Pinal County, Arizona. All three high schools in Arizona where Mr. Brown was an administrator received US News and World Report distinction as the top high schools in the nation. Springville High also received the distinction as a top 25 school in Utah and Newsweek’s Top Schools in the USA.

When asked about his personal motto, Mike wrote, “Do what is best for kids.”

Mr. Brown’s interests include hiking, traveling, and family.