Heartland Elementary School Principal Buddy Alger has a big heart.

“It's in his name—he truly is like a buddy to every person who walks through the doors at Heartland. You immediately feel that welcoming presence,” Angela Solum, former Heartland assistant principal, said. “He's very authentic and loving and warm, and so people feel right at home when they come to him.”

Following his heart

Alger began his education career fifteen years ago as a school psychologist and then a district psychologist and behavior specialist. He enjoyed finding innovative programs and creative approaches for students with difficult behaviors, special needs and at-risk factors. When he realized he could make a bigger impact as a principal and engage more directly with kids, he followed his heart to become an elementary school principal.

He was an administrator at Herriman, Silvercrest and Bluffdale elementary schools before being assigned to Heartland.

“The biggest impact that my training and my experience as a school psychologist had on me becoming the principal that I am is because of the people aspect—focusing on relationships, understanding people, understanding the needs that they have, and working hard to make sure that we're educating and supporting the whole child, not just one aspect of a child,” Alger said.

At the heart of the matter

Relationships are at the heart of Alger’s leadership style.

“I think that the way that he fosters relationships with his families, he's one of the greatest principals I've ever seen of being able to not only foster those relationships with the students who are within his building, but their relationships are so strong that they're sustained well after kids leave,” Solum said.

 It is important to Alger that every student feels they belong at Heartland. He learns the names of every student and connects with them throughout the year, celebrating their growth and giving them opportunities to take ownership of their learning. School-wide goals to improve literacy and attendance helps each student recognize how much their presence and efforts are needed. As they contribute to their class’ progress, it strengthens their sense of purpose and belonging.

Alger is proud that in a recent survey of students, 71% of Heartland students said they feel like they belong at school, a percentage that ranks in the top 20% of all schools.

“We've really helped strengthen kids' sense of belonging at school, which, in my mind, is one of the best predictors of school success and future child success,” Alger said.

Alger also wants students’ families to feel that same sense of belonging. He encourages parents to volunteer at the school and to attend school musical and theatrical performances, celebration dinners, the annual dance festival and Family Week activities.

Putting the heart in Heartland

Alger has embraced the school motto: I put the heart in Heartland by caring for myself, caring for others and caring for my community.

“One of my goals for Heartland was to make it a space where kids not only came to read and write and do math at a high level, but that they also learned that they themselves are important for contributing to a better world and a better local community, that it's not just about being your best self, it's also about being your best self and then turning to others, and then turning to your community, because that's what makes us all better, and so that's been a big push,” Alger said.

Heart in the right place 

Colleagues hold Alger in a special place in their hearts, describing him as jovial, charismatic, knowledgeable, highly respected and revered, knowledgeable and approachable.

“He's very professional and he knows what he's doing, and so we all trust him,” Majestic Arts Academy Elementary Principal Marianne Johansen said. “Buddy is the person you call when you need to solve a problem and you don't know how to solve it, because Buddy has a solution for everything,” 

Finger on the pulse of the community

Because Alger speaks Spanish, he is able to develop relationships with Spanish-speaking parents and is well-connected in the community.

“When our resource officer would hear something that happened in the neighborhood or in the community, Buddy would be the first person he would reach out to,” Solum said. “Buddy would most likely either know how to contact the family or just make sure that we were able to provide support.”

Solum said while Alger’s decisions are student-centric, he is just as committed to following through with what he says he’ll do for families and teachers.

When Alger first came to Heartland, parents were discouraged with the 50% teacher turnover rate which prevented a sense of continuous school community. In response to their feedback, Alger prioritized teacher retention and this year, 90% of the staff members are staying.

“I think every teacher thought they were his favorite,” Solum said. “The work in education is really hard but you know you can do the hard things when you have a principal like Buddy there to support you. He is very much a person first before the profession, and I think that makes his teachers want to work really hard for him, myself included.”

Humble heart

Alger was recognized with two prestigious honors this year: the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals Community Leader of the Year Award and the Jordan Education Foundation 2025 Principal of the Year Award.

Alger’s humble response was to share the credit.

“I'm lucky enough to have such great students and great families and great teachers that make me look good,” Alger said. “They have a shared commitment and vision to make sure that all of our students can do amazing things. And because I am their leader, I feel like I'm the one that gets the recognition for it, but I certainly share that recognition with so many people who make it all possible.”λ