Richard "Rick" Durbin has been hired as the new principal of Juab High School next school year.
Durbin grew up in Parowan and has been teaching at Duchesne for the past 16 years. The school there is comprised of grades 7 through 12.He has been a football coach, an assistant basketball coach, a track coach and, for three years, coached the girl's gymnastics team. The gymnastic team took third in the state under his coaching.
"I have taught many different subjects," said Durbin. "I have taught about everything there is to teach."
Durbin graduated from Brigham Young University in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree. He received his master's degree in education from Utah State University in 1993.
"This past year I have been on a sabbatical leave working on my doctorate, and I expect to graduate with that degree in a year or so."
"I believe the principal of the school needs to provide some direction, but I really believe in the professionalism of teachers, maybe more than most," said Durbin. He said, as a team, the staff would work together to set the direction of the school.
Durbin said he is not interested in moving from place to place. "I hope I do well here because we would like to make Nephi home. We'd like to fit in and make our family part of the community."