When Vern Henshaw couldn't play football for Brigham Young University after a knee injury in 1972, he thought his life was over.

"I thought most of the world was made up of that," Henshaw said.

Now the 53-year-old is the superintendent of Alpine School District and has recently been named the 2008 Utah Superintendent of the Year, selected by his peers. He will go on to a national competition.

"Life is going along great," Henshaw said, reflecting on the years since his BYU days.

Now his most important priorities are people -- the people he works with and the people who support him.

He said this award reflected less of him and more of those around him.

"It's a recognition that is not about you. It's really about those that you work with and those that have supported you," Henshaw said.

Henshaw said he never would have earned his doctoral degree without the support of his wife and six kids who put up with his studies while he was the principal of American Fork High School.

Being a principal was Henshaw's boyhood dream. He taught social studies, but always wanted to be a high school principal.

"I never dreamed or thought I would be a superintendent," Henshaw said.

He has made it a priority to involve the community in schools. He created a district community council so patrons and parents have direct access to the superintendent's ear. That is the only organization like it in the area.

Debbie Taylor, who is the president of the Alpine School Board, said Henshaw has listened to her from the days she worked with the PTA and community council.

"He's a very good listener. He believes that we need to try to find common ground," Taylor said. "He really is masterful at board relationships.

With the growth that Alpine is experiencing, Henshaw said making patrons feel involved has been one of the biggest challenges he has faced in his seven years as superintendent.

"I feel like we've made tremendous strides with that," Henshaw said.

Financing Alpine's growth has been a challenge for Henshaw, who has had to ask for hundreds of millions of dollars from voters.

Alpine's staff said Henshaw has been able to handle challenges because he doesn't get worked up.

"Things don't throw him for a loop. He's a hard man to ruffle," said school district spokeswoman Jerri Mortensen.

She said that doesn't mean Henshaw doesn't get the job done. He is more likely to take methodical action rather than react to every situation as it comes along.

During his time as superintendent, Henshaw also has focused on retaining teachers and giving them time to collaborate.

"We believe in professional development, but more importantly we believe in you," Henshaw told a meeting of staff and community patrons at Lehi Elementary School this week.

During the meeting, Henshaw listened to concerns and wrote them in a small notebook. He said he would take the notes and communicate with his staff so they know there are concerns.

"That's where you build trust," Henshaw said.

Henshaw said the best parts of the job are the people he works with and watching children learn and seeing their excitement.

Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B6.