Four More Nebo Administrative Appointments

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Alan Ashton – Career and Technology Education Program Manager 
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Alan Ashton as the new Career and Technology Education (CTE) Program Manager.

Mr. Ashton served as the assistant administrator of CTE programs for the past two years and as assistant principal at Maple Mountain High School for four years. He was assistant principal at Timpview High School for five years and previously taught electronics and video production at Provo High School for nine years.

Alan was a Brigham Young University Leader Preparation Program (LPP) recipient. He received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Weber State University and his master’s degree in Education in Leadership from Brigham Young University.

Mr. Ashton’s motto is, “The journey through life and the people that impact our lives are more important than the destination.”

Alan enjoys ATVs, snowmobiles, body surfing, electronics, music, and sound systems.  He is married to Julie, they have three children. Alan is an avid reader and is always in the middle of two or three books.

Wade Tischner–Principal of the Advanced Learning Center 
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Wade Tischner as the principal of the Advanced Learning Center.

Wade received his Bachelor’s of Technology and Industrial Education from Utah State University and his Master’s of Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University. Most recently, Mr. Tischner served as the assistant principal for Salem Hills High for the past four years. Mr. Tischner taught engineering, robotics, and physics with technology for 16 years. He also spent 20 plus years with the National Guard with a one-year tour to Iraq.

Mr. Tischner was selected as 2003 Lone Peak’s 2003 High School Teacher of the Year. He also had the opportunity to be an advisor in 2010 to TSA Robotics National Champion Team.

Dave Rowe, coordinator of Mentoring and Evaluation, said, “I admire Wade’s professionalism. Wade sees what needs to be done and takes care of it. He is sensitive to the needs of those around him and has a good sense of prioritization. He works extremely hard with a positive attitude.  Wade is dependable and consistent. He is levelheaded and mature in all of his interactions with students, parents, faculty, and peers. Wade Tischner is an outstanding educator and a person of integrity.”

Wade enjoys cycling and running. He is married to Donna, and they have seven children.

Kim Gerke – Student Services Coordinator

The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Kim Gerke as the Student Services Coordinator for Nebo School District. 

Mr. Gerke received his master’s degree in counseling and guidance and his bachelor’s degree in psychology both from Brigham Young University. He has an administrator’s license from Southern Utah University.

Mr. Gerke has served as assistant principal at Mapleton Junior for the past five years, counselor at Maple Mountain High for two years, and counselor at Springville Junior High and Spanish Fork High.
Mr. Gerke was honored with the Crystal Apple Award and Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award. He has served on the Governor’s Advisory Council of Education, Boy Scouts Wood Badge and Timberline Director, Scoutmaster for 2010 National Jamboree, and served as Bishop and in the stake presidency.

Human Resource Director, Ann Anderson, said, “Mr. Gerke has the skills and personality to be a very successful administrator. He has a gentleness about him while at the same time is able to confront those day-to-day difficult issues. He cares about the students, faculty, and staff. He always looks for a win-win in any given situation. He is intuitive and perceptive in dealing with problem-solving situations. I have found his decisions to be fair and to uphold the policies of the school board.” 

Kim enjoys hiking, backpacking, and reading. He is married to Kathleen, and they have three children.

Keith Richards – Assistant Principal Mapleton Junior High
The Nebo School Board of Education appointed Keith Richards as the assistant principal of Mapleton Junior High School.

Mr. Richards received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Utah Valley University and his master’s degree in education administration from Southern Utah University. Mr. Richards taught math at Salem Hills High for two years and at Diamond Fork Junior for four years. His current assignment is the dean of students at Mapleton Junior High.

Principal RaShel Anderson said, “Keith creates a positive, warm culture at Mapleton Junior High. He built relationships with our students, teachers, parents, and staff members. He effectively communicates our school vision and ensures that our members have a voice in developing a school improvement plan. He is a thoughtful listener and shares great ideas. When students do not follow school rules, he helps them replace negative behavior with positive behavior.  His patient, calming influence works magic on the most difficult situations.”

One of Mr. Richards’ favorite quotes is by Paul “Bear” Bryant, “It’s not the will to win that matters–everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” Keith said, “In this competitive world, students need to be prepared and have the drive to win in whatever their dreams may be in life.” 

Mr. Richards has served on several district and school math committees leading the new common curriculum. He was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award from Salem Hills High in 2015. 
“I have had many mentors in my life beginning with my family who has been a huge support to me in all that I do, followed by many teachers and administrators that have really shaped and made me a better educator. I have cherished friends that I have loved working and learning from over the last several years, stated Keith. “I am excited to be able to continue to work with the students and staff at Mapleton Junior High in this new capacity. There are some really good things happening here and some really great people to work with. Go Mustangs!” 

Keith enjoys watching and playing sports, hunting, and spending time with family. He is married to Jamie, and they have four children.

Attributions
Lana Hiskey