Shane Farnsworth said he is excited to be the new principal at American Fork Junior High School.

"I enjoy the level of engagement you can still have with them," he said. "They still want and need direction and shaping. It is a dynamic time in their lives."

He said it was good for the faculty and staff to help them.

"You have a great opportunity and responsibility to help them ease through this period," he said. "It is fun. They are getting to that point where they are trying to find out who they are and what they want to do with their lives. For the most part, they are reaching out and want to connect to adults beyond their family. It is very rewarding to be here with them, to be another source of strength and direction for them."

Farnsworth identified the challenges of the job.

"You need to be flexible with them," he said. "The more you understand their needs I think the better you are able to serve them. It is a challenge to deal with their awkwardness and their changing, dynamic personalities. It is a challenge to be able to really understand and help them."

"I don't really see that they are challenging and difficult," he added. "They are innocent. They see the world with fresh eyes. That is invigorating."

Farnsworth did his student teaching in Latin and English at American Fork High School, then taught four years at Mountain Ridge Junior High in Highland, followed by four years as assistant principal at Timberline Middle School in Alpine.

"I am excited to be here," he said. "It is a wonderful opportunity. I am humbled by it. There are some fantastic things happening here. I am excited for the challenge and the opportunity to continue to shape the direction of the school."

His goal this year is to build relationships of trust with the faculty and students. He praised the students and their parents for the support they have shown.

"It is a great community with great parental support for education," he said. "Not just academics, but the arts are emphasized here, both in the community and the school."

The father of six children, he said his joy comes from them.

He and his wife MeriAnn have children ranging from almost 4 to almost 16. One is in eighth grade at AFJH.

"I love being a husband and father," he said. "That is where my real joy in life lies. I love to exercise and spend time with my wife." He enjoys running and bike riding.