DISTRICT OFFICE
Mark Ernst – Superintendent
Mark Ernst is entering his 19th year in education. His career began in the classroom teaching social studies at the junior high and high school levels. Ernst has administrative experience on the junior high and high school levels, as an area director, and most recently as an Assistant and Interim Superintendent for TCSD.
“I love working in education, being able to make an immediate impact in the lives of our students,” said Ernst. “As a growing district, we have a unique opportunity to make decisions impacting our community for multiple years. I am thrilled to lead the charge as we elevate education throughout Tooele County.”
Jeff Hamm – Assistant Superintendent
Jeff Hamm has worked in the education field for 30 years. Leadership highlights from his career include serving as principal at Grantsville Elementary School, Director of Elementary Education for TCSD, principal at Tooele High School, and most recently Tooele Area Director for TCSD. Prior to his administrative roles, Hamm taught a variety of subjects including French, English, humanities, health, and math. He also coached sports teams, including a basketball team that won a state championship.
“I am blessed and humbled to serve as the Assistant Superintendent for TCSD,” said Hamm. “I love the direction we are headed, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such consummate professionals at every level each day. TCSD is the BEST, and I feel fortunate to be a part of this collaborative culture at this time, working together on behalf of ALL our schools.”
Bryan Becherini – Tooele Area Director
Bryan Becherini joins us from the Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah where he supported a variety of schools across the state in school improvement efforts. Becherini has worked in education for more than 16 years as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. He is currently completing his doctorate at the University of Utah where he has focused on education policy and leadership, specifically researching effective district leadership in support of school improvement efforts. He also enjoys spending his time hiking, hunting, and camping with his family.
Becherini said, “I am extremely passionate about my work, and I look forward to collaborating with school support staff, faculty, and administrators to cultivate a positive learning environment for all. Leadership is my passion, and I am here to serve the TCSD community.”
Ricky Scott – Curriculum Director of Science, Computer Science, Physical Education, and Fine Arts
Ricky Scott most recently served as the State Science Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. In his time at USBE he led the creation, adoption, and implementation of the state Science with Engineering Education Standards for grades K-12. He comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience to support K-12 science educators. Before working at USBE, Ricky worked in the Jordan School District for about eight years teaching seventh and eighth-grade science, earth science, biology, chemistry, and biotechnology.
“More than anything, I am most excited to be working with teachers and students throughout TCSD,” said Scott. “Science education is my passion and I am excited to help teachers any way that I can.”
He also mentioned that while he does not have the same level of experience with fine arts and physical education, he is excited to identify ways to support teachers in these areas as well.
Marissa Lowry – Special Education Director
Born and raised in Tooele County, Marissa Lowry has spent the last seven years working for TCSD in various capacities but most recently as the Assistant Director of Special Education.
Lowry is excited to step into this role as the Director of Special Education for TCSD and to be able to help others grow and find success in their lives.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to support students, teachers, staff, and administrators at TCSD,” said Lowry.
Andy Peterson - Director of Assessment
This is Andy Peterson’s 18th year with TCSD. His most recent assignment was principal at Rose Springs Elementary. He started his career teaching sixth and fourth-grade. He has been in school administration for the past 12 years and served as intern, assistant principal, and principal. His bachelor’s degree is in Business Management and before working in education, he worked in the financial industry.
“I am excited to be in this new position, specifically so that I can focus on helping principals and teachers in their work to help students,” said Peterson. “Assessment is such an important part of helping students succeed and I am grateful for the opportunity to help direct this vital work in the best school district in the state.”
ONLINE K-12
Dave Whiting – Digital Education Center Assistant Principal Over Secondary
Dr. Dave Whiting has served as an administrator in the TCSD for 22 years with his last assignment as assistant principal at Tooele Junior High School. He has served as a teacher and educator for a total of 34 years. He obtained his Education Leadership degrees from Colorado State University and Brigham Young University and has taught at the middle school and elementary school levels. He also served as an associate professor at Southern Utah University for five years.
“I am very excited to work with the Digital Education Center. We have an amazing staff and serve many students,” said Whiting. “Online education is such a growing field, and I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities in this position.”
His hobbies include fishing, biking, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoys time with his four grandchildren.
HIGH SCHOOL
Travis McClusky – Blue Peak High/Community Learning Center Assistant Principal
Travis McClusky is beginning his 31st year with TCSD. He spent the first part of his career teaching on the junior high and high school levels. He taught chemistry, physics, physical education, and math. His administrative background includes assistant principal and principal at Grantsville High, and most recently he served for nine years as an assistant principal at Tooele High School.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with the students at Blue Peak,” said McClusky. “I hope to help the students be prepared to be on track for graduation. I am also looking forward to working with students who attend our school for CTE classes.”
Charles Mohler – Stansbury High Assistant Principal
Charles Mohler has been working in the education field for 30 years and most recently served as the assistant principal at Blue Peak High and Community Learning Center. He also taught driver’s education, social studies, math, physical education, health, and computer technology as well as coached football, basketball, baseball, track, and golf.
Mohler said, “I love returning to Stansbury where I served the students and staff for three years when the school first opened.”
Tamsen Andrus – Stansbury High Assistant Principal
Tamsen Andrus has worked in education for 19 years, 11 of which were spent in the classroom working in special education at the elementary and middle school levels. Her most recent positions were assistant director and director of Special Education. She also spent time in her career coaching athletics at the high school level. She brings a wealth of knowledge related to Disability Law and Compliance. While serving in her various roles, she has developed a strong understanding of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Intervention. She is looking forward to utilizing these skills at Stansbury High in working to improve student outcomes.
"I am looking forward in joining ‘The Crew’ at SHS.” said Andrus. “It will be refreshing to work with students on a daily basis again."
Jared Small - Tooele High School Assistant Principal
Jared Small has been in education for 21 years. During his first five years of education, he taught physical education, and health and coached many sports. Since then, he has worked in administration at several of the junior high schools and high schools in the District. His most recent assignment was the assistant principal at the Digital Education Center.
At the same time COVID forced our schools to go online, Small began an intense battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Working as an assistant principal at the Digital Education Center allowed him to continue contributing while working in a more isolated environment. It was a good experience, but he is excited to be back at THS and working face-to-face with the staff, parents, teachers, and students he loves.
Small enjoys being with his family and friends, playing games, fishing, and making memories.
Kaycee Roberts – Tooele High Assistant Principal
Kaycee Roberts taught at the secondary level for 17 years, with the last 10 years at TCSD. For the past year, she has worked as the administrative intern for Clarke N. Johnsen Junior High and Old Mill Elementary.
Roberts said, “I am very excited for this new opportunity and the chance to get to know the staff and students at Tooele High”
JUNIOR HIGH
Kalem Norton – Tooele Junior High Principal
Kalem Norton has served as a school administrator for the past 16 years and has been involved in public education for 27 years. His most recent position was assistant principal at Stansbury High School. Over his career in education, he has been a school bus driver, maintenance/custodian worker, classroom teacher (high school world history, U.S. history, and American government), coached multiple sports, junior high principal, assistant principal, and high school principal. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Arizona State University, completed his teaching credentials through the University of Phoenix, and earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Kalem and his family moved to Utah from Arizona in 2013 when he accepted a position at Stansbury High School as assistant principal.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with the staff and students of Tooele Junior High,” said Norton. “I look forward to the first day of school and hope that together we can have a great year. Go Roadrunners!”
Clint Poole – Tooele Junior High Assistant Principal
Clint Poole has spent the last six years as principal of West Elementary School and is excited for a new opportunity to work on the secondary level at Tooele Junior High School.
“I enjoy working with staff and students to build a positive culture and to celebrate growth,” said Poole. “TCSD has the best people to work with and we are only getting better. I believe we are going to see great successes as we grow together. Roadrunners, ‘Let's GO!’"
ELEMENTARY
Amy Burge – Overlake Elementary Principal
Amy Burge has been in education for 16 years. She has taught first grade, kindergarten, and second grade, and has been a K-3 instructional coach. Most recently she was an assistant principal intern at Middle Canyon and Settlement Canyon Elementary Schools. She is passionate about early literacy and enjoys watching students learn and grow.
"I am excited to get to know the students and families at Overlake Elementary and be part of a community that is dedicated to supporting the growth and success of each student," said Burge.
Kelly Staten – Rose Springs Elementary Principal
Kelly Staten is happy to report that she is no longer a newbie to TCSD. Prior to joining TCSD, she worked in Davis County School District as an elementary assistant principal and school teacher. She has been working at Tooele High for the past two years and enjoyed getting to learn about a student’s school experience at the secondary level. She is excited to serve as the principal at Rose Springs Elementary and get back to her elementary roots.
“As a mother of nine, I appreciate what teachers do for all kids and am privileged to be a small part of the system that gives their hearts to making life better for our young people,” said Staten. “I have loved joining the TCSD family. It is a very close-knit community that takes care of people. It has a personal feel and I have appreciated the relationships I have already built with all district employees.”
Thomas Trotter – West Elementary Principal
Thomas Trotter has worked in education for 10 years, nine of which have been in the TCSD. He has been a second-grade teacher, a fourth-grade teacher, an instructional coach, an administrative intern, and most recently the principal at Overlake Elementary. He has had the opportunity to work at five dual language immersion schools in the District including the Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, and now German programs.
“My wife and I have four children, two girls and two boys, who keep us very busy. Three of the four are attending school in the District, and the fourth is anxiously awaiting his turn,” said Trotter. “I am ecstatic to be working as the principal of West Elementary and I am eager for the school year to begin. I am excited for the potential this school has.”
Trotter looks forward to having a focus on instruction and improvement while working together with great teachers, staff, and parents ensuring that each student succeeds at high levels this school year.
Candy Raleigh – Grantsville Elementary Principal
For 14 years Candy Raleigh taught in several different states including teaching second-grade at Grantsville Elementary. For the past three years, she served as the administrative intern at Grantsville Elementary. She is excited to be the principal at the same school where she taught and served as an administrative intern.
“The staff and students and Grantsville Elementary are amazing and make coming to work every day enjoyable,” said Raleigh.
Jeff Zaleski – Twenty Wells Elementary Principal
Jeff Zaleski has been an educator for 20 years with TCSD. His entire career up to this point has been at Grantsville Elementary where he taught fourth-grade for 13 years and just finished his seventh year as principal.
“I am excited for the opening of Twenty Wells Elementary,” said Zaleski. “Not only for the new building, but for the culture that we can create as teachers, students, parents, and stakeholders. I love and admire the Grantsville community and I am looking forward to continuing to work with the students here.”