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An educator quite by accident, Sylvia Allan, the new principal this fall at Vineyard Elementary School in Orem couldn't be more happy to have found her dream job.
A one-time hair stylist, Allan was called upon by a family member 11 years ago to substitute teach a preschool class at Challenger School. Her brother-in-law, then the school's vice president, was in a pinch and badly needed some last-minute help.
"I said or thought, 'How awful. But it's only one day and I love my brother-in-law.'" Allan said. "I wasn't in that class 10 minutes before I found the love of my life -- to teach."
She earned a teaching certificate and began teaching fifth graders at Scera Park Elementary School in Orem. Encourage by her principal, Tom Carter, and the school's secretary, she applied to the master's degree Leadership Preparation Program at Brigham Young University, though she didn't know how interested she was, if she could really afford it, or if she would even have a shot a getting accepted.
"They said, 'You have the right personality,'" she said. "I said, 'That's not a good idea.' "
Allan not only was accepted into the program and got a three-quarters salary sabbatical to support her family, she got a job offer as principal, something else she thought would never happen.
Last year she served as the assistant principal at Rocky Mountain Elementary School in Lindon. This spring, she learned she'd been selected by the school district to take the reins at Vineyard Elementary School, which this year has an enrollment of 635 students.
"I was overwhelmed with happiness ... because Vineyard Elementary has a reputation of being such a good school with involved parents," Allan said.
She appreciates the small-town, close-knit community kind-of-feel that permeates the hallways and classrooms at Vineyard Elementary, the interest parents take in their children's education, and the hard work of teachers who strive to do what's best for their pupils.
"They're very proud of their school," she said. "It's nice to rub shoulders with people so dedicated and who love their jobs."
As Vineyard's principal, Allan said she'll put a premium on student achievement and teacher collaboration to improve class learning.
She hopes to continue a tradition of excellence at the school.
"It's been what I'm supposed to do," Allan said. "I love it. "
The mother of four children ages 19-26 (including a 23-year-old son currently serving with the U.S. military in Iraq), Allan remarried Lynn Allan, the athletic director and a math teacher at Lehi High School. The Allans live in Orem and Mrs. Allan enjoys camping, boating and anything with family or outdoors. |
