By Jet Burnham | [email protected]

Mary Anne Stevens, Bennion Junior High 6055 South 2700 West

Stevens has been in education for 38 years as a special education teacher, assistant principal and principal. Most of her experience has been with junior high students. She hopes as students get to know her, they will feel valued and important. 

“I am looking forward to coming to Bennion Junior High and getting to know my students, teachers, staff, parents and community,” she said. “I see career changes as a challenge and will do my best for the school.” 

Photo courtesy Granite School District

 As an administrator, she values transparency and communication. 

She believes it is her responsibility to provide support and resources to teachers and staff so students have the best educational opportunities possible. 

“I value working in an environment that provides support for students and allows them to develop intellectually, emotionally and physically,” she said. “Students are my priority. I work to make sure that every decision I make has the student in mind.”

Matthew Graham, Arcadia Elementary 3461 West 4850 South

Graham was an opera singer before he taught music and Italian. This will be his sixth year as a principal. 

Photo courtesy Matthew Graham

 When asked what he thinks is the most important part of a principal's job, he said, “Keeping kids safe and preparing them to learn at high levels.” 

Graham plans to continue Dr. Jabakumar’s vision of Arcadia as a STEAM school. 

“I would also like to incorporate the arts in as many facets of school life as possible,” he said. 

This year at Arcadia, teachers will be using a new grading system for math — proficiency-based grading. There will also be a focus on developing leadership skills in students. 

“I’m excited to be part of the community and accomplish great things at Arcadia in the years to come,” said Graham. 

Jane McClure, Bennion Elementary 5775 South Sierra Grande Drive

McClure is excited to be a part of the Bennion community. 

Photo courtesy Jane McClure

 “I have heard wonderful things about the school and the community, and I am ready to support you with the education of your children,” she said. 

McClure found her passion for teaching while living in Chile, where she taught adults to read. 

“I witnessed how learning to read changed their lives, and I knew that I wanted to continue to bring the light of learning to others — I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. 

She taught for several years before becoming an administrator. This will be her 20th year in administration. 

McClure loves teaching and helping others learn. She also enjoys reading, vacationing in warm climates, spending time with her family, watching old movies and making the world a better place.  

“Chocolate is always welcomed, appreciated and very much loved,” she said. 

Dianne Phillips, Vista Elementary 4925 South 2200 West

Phillips has been an administrator for eight years and was a teacher for eight years before that. 

“I really love what I do,” she said. “I love being with the kids.” 

 Phillips is a very involved principal. She loves interacting with students and spends as much time as she can visiting classrooms, greeting students in the halls and talking with them during lunch time. 

Because there are many aspects to running a school, she believes her role as principal is to “strike a balance between being an instructional leader and a manager.” 

Phillips is excited to build relationships with Vista’s teachers, students and community throughout the year. 

“I want parents to feel comfortable coming into our school,” she said. She encourages them to come to the school, visit classrooms and to volunteer. 

Other new principals in Taylorsville schools include:

Cecelia Jabakumar, John C Fremont Elementary 4249 South 1425 West 

Malynda Cloward at Plymouth Elementary 5220 South 1470 West