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Corner Canyon Principal Named Top in State

Mar 09, 2016 11:12AM ● By Julie Slama

By Julie Slama | [email protected]

Draper - Corner Canyon High School Principal Mary Bailey will speak to her statewide colleagues about trends and issues in education in June as the Utah High School Principal of the Year.

Awarded Jan. 6 by the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, Bailey’s speech at their conference will prepare her as she will travel to Washington, D.C., Sept. 11-14, to meet with the nation’s education leaders, Utah senators and members of congress and other top principals across the country at the national conference. 

“When I was called by Executive Director Carl Boyington, who said that I was picked as principal of the year, I was shocked. I had seen other people who were being interviewed for the honor as I was and knew they were solid, good principals, so I figured I didn’t have a chance. I was just lost for words, as I was taken back by surprise. He even asked if I was still there on the phone since I was so quiet,” she said.

Bailey was contacted in late fall that she was nominated for the award.

“I was humbled that someone would take the time to nominate me,” she said about the nomination process, which remains anonymous.

Bailey then submitted her resume and recommendations and interviewed with six UASSP board members and two students in early December before learning later that month that she was selected.

Her name now will be entered along with other state winners to be eligible for the national principal of the year distinction.

Bailey, who was selected to help establish the three-year-old high school, was honored in January by Canyons Board of Education with a framed certificate and flower arrangement.

Assistant Superintendent Bob Dowdle, who has worked with Bailey since 1988, said she her leadership is top-notch.

“Her standards are through the ceiling,” he said, adding that she has a notable ability to build and maintain relationships. “Everyone is affected by her love of people.”

Those at Corner Canyon can attest to that. Cheer coach Whitney Lunt appreciates Bailey’s involvement at the school.

“The biggest thing about Mary is that she goes out of her way to help,” she said. “She has 90 million things going on, but if you need to talk to her, she’s there — whether it’s early morning or late at night — and she has that amazing smile and willingness to help — and she comes to all our competitions. She’s just amazing, wonderful.”

Instrumental director Randal Clark said the support goes beyond just being at the event or activity.

“She’s not only everywhere, all the time, but she truly cares,” he said. “She writes on cards and thanks me not just for the great concert, but specifically what she loved or why this piece was great in the concert. She has a true gift with people and how she has time to do what all she does — and never forgets anything — I don’t know. She also finds ways to support programs financially. She’s always willing to find an answer and says, ‘let’s figure out how’ not a flat-out ‘there’s no money.’ With respect to other great administers, Mary is a one of a kind, and I’ve never known an administrator with her ability. Simply put, she’s the best principal.”

Students and alumni also feel her impact as she’s smiling, encouraging them or congratulating them for their hard work and great feats.

Alexsys Campbell, a 2015 graduate who appeared in several Corner Canyon’s theater productions, said she has fond memories of her high school principal.

 “The great thing about Mary Bailey is that she literally supports everything at Corner Canyon,” Alexsys said. “She makes the biggest effort I’ve ever seen of going to all of the theater performances, band, orchestra, choir concerts. I’ve seen her at every athletic event, drill or cheer competition — she truly supports Corner Canyon as a whole. Mary Bailey is the kind of principal every principal wishes they were and every student and teacher wishes they had. I am so grateful for her support and kindness, and most of all her example. She’s truly an amazing woman.