Rookie principals are at the helm of both Herriman area high schools. Herriman High School Principal Tom Gatten replaced Todd Quarnberg, who resigned, and Mountain Ridge High School Principal Brady Bartholomew replaced Mike Kochevar, who retired.

Both applied for a principalship position after years of experience as high school assistant principals, and after being interviewed by Jordan School District cabinet members, were given assignments based on the needs of the school communities.

Brady Bartholomew returns to Mountain Ridge High School as the new principal. (Photo courtesy Brady Bartholomew)

“It's something that we take very seriously,” Jordan School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey said. “We have a lot of discussions behind the scenes before making those appointments. We are aware of the importance of strong leadership in schools, and we're proud of our administrative teams throughout the district.”

Riverton High School Principal Rochelle Waite is impressed with Gatten and Bartholomew’s administrative styles that prioritize students first.

“I love that that is a focus for our district administrative team, of really putting key players in place that focus in on what's best for kids and how to help them be successful,” Waite said.

Administrators don’t get to choose which school they are sent to but Bartholomew was thrilled with the assignment to return to MRHS where he was an assistant principal for the first four years the school was open.

“When they called and appointed me as the principal, it was easy for me to get on board, and I was so excited about it, just because I'm so ingrained in this school,” Bartholomew said. “It was a very unique opportunity being able to open a new school and start new traditions and work with the community and the kids to get this school up and running, so that school always holds a special place in your heart because it's something that you helped build.”

Bartholomew kicked off MRHS’s school year with a new school tradition that was meant to begin six years ago.

“We've always talked about wanting to do a welcome back barbecue before the first football game, and we’re able to finally get that tradition going this year,” Bartholomew said. He hopes students will be excited to attend so that he can start to get to know them.

With 16 years experience in education, six as an administrator, Bartholomew has learned the importance of connecting with students.

“To me, the kids are what makes this job,” he said. “So for me, just being visible to the kids, getting to know as many kids as possible, that's what I'm about. These are big jobs, so I've really got to be intentional on making sure that I carve out that time to get in front of them as much as possible, whether it's during those passing times, getting out to lunches or going to support them in their extracurricular activities.”

Bartholomew is the type of principal who wants students to know who he is and feel comfortable going to him for help. As a member of the Herriman community, Bartholomew already has connections with many students and their families. His wife is a school counselor at Herriman Elementary School and their three daughters have been active in local sports. In his free time, Bartholomew enjoys attending plays, concerts, sporting events and spending time outdoors with his family.

Bartholomew spent the past two years as an assistant principal at Riverton High with Waite, who described him as incredibly personable and genuine.

“I definitely think Brady is the epitome of Sentinel Strong, and they are very lucky to get him,” Waite said. “And I know that that community is, I'm sure, thrilled to have him back.” 

She has no doubt that Bartholomew easily switched his loyalty from RHS back to MRHS.

“You fall in love with where you are,” she said. “That’s your role as an administrator in general. You really just need to be all-in for where you're at and Brady does that so well.” 

As Bartholomew arrived to fill the position at MRHS, Gatten was leaving his assistant principal role at MRHS to accept the principalship at Herriman High School. Throughout his 27-year career in education, Gatten has worked at six different high schools, but he said the goal is always the same.

“The whole purpose of education is to help kids, no matter who they are, and I love doing what I do for the best benefit of kids,” Gatten said.

To best serve HHS students, teachers, advisers and coaches, Gatten said he will spend this first year getting to know everyone.

“I'm really big on relationships,” he said. “With a big high school like this, it's definitely difficult to learn everybody's names, but I’ll just do my best to say hi and meet and greet.” 

He believes good relationships among faculty and staff members lead to good relationships between teachers and students in classrooms and on the fields. He was on the receiving end of those types of relationships when he was a student.

“I grew up playing baseball, played college baseball, and that's really what gave me the love to come back and stay in education, is to give back and be a part of it,” he said. “I had a lot of great coaches and great mentors as I was growing up and going through school, and that's why I went into education.”

Gatten is excited to attend HHS’s baseball games as well as other athletic, academic, musical and theatrical student performances and competitions.

“My family jokes all the time about how I get emotional even listening to the band play,” Gatten said. “But to see the kids, where they've come from and what they're involved in—whether it's athletics or the performing arts or their success stories in life of coming from a tough home life to being successful in the classroom and graduating—seeing those accomplishments and all those successes is what I kind of get really touched by.”