(Lander, WY) – Lander Middle School Assistant Principal Johnny Horton was in for a surprise Wednesday morning, February 12, after the entire school crowded into the LMS gym for a secretive assembly where he was named the Wyoming Assistant Principal of the Year.
“You’re probably wondering what the heck is going on. Right?” LMS Principal Jade Morton asked the crowd of students before letting them know about the honor and that Horton was told the assembly was being held to discuss how tough the month of February can be for students.
“So here’s what I’d like to do. When he comes in, let’s give him the loudest Lander Middle School standing ovation when he comes in, and hopefully we surprise him,” Morton instructed
“So what does it mean to be the Assistant Principal and representative of our state of Wyoming? There are hundreds of schools across our state. Hundreds. And many of them have an Assistant Principal. So it’s not easy to be recognized with this award or honor,” Morton shared with attendees.
“What I appreciate about Mr. Horton is he’s a hard worker, he cares about kids, he’s creative, he comes to me all the time with ideas to make things better for you all. And I appreciate working with Mr. Horton each and every day,” Morton continued.
“I could not do this job without Mr. Horton. And a few of the things that Mr. Horton is planning for the future of Lander Middle School, which we will roll out next fall, (are) going to benefit you guys greatly. So Mr. Horton, in my opinion, is well deserving of this recognition.”
Fremont County School District #1 Superintendent Mike Harris was the next to speak, and echoed Morton’s words.
“One thing I do know about Mr. Horton is he cares a lot about every single one of you guys. He cares about what happens to you today,” Harris commendted. “But what you may not realize is he cares a lot about what happens to you tomorrow and the years to come and whatever happens in your life down the road. That’s a commitment that he shows every day and I hope you guys will realize that as well.”
“I can’t think of anybody who’s more deserving of this recognition than Mr. Horton. I’m really proud of him and really proud of our district. To have two Assistant Principals of the Year in a row, that’s a big deal,” Harris added in reference to Gannett Peak Elementary Assitant Principal Megan Park receiving the award last year.
“I don’t know, Kris, if that’s been done in Wyoming before, but here we are again, breaking a new trail at Lander,” Harris continued before Wyoming Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (WAEMSP) Executive Director Kris Cundall nodded in confirmation.
“Thank you so much, Sabers, I was really not anticipating this,” Horton stated after receiving the official award plaque from Cundall. “I just had a really fun hour at Baldwin Creek and got to do one of the things that I’m super excited about doing, which is coaching in classrooms, hanging out with students, and working with other fellow admin and teachers and educators.”
“I don’t view this as a competition, honestly, but I have been competing in Wyoming for over 30 years and I’ve never won anything,” Horton joked. “So this feels kind of cool.”
“I was close in Casper in November. I was in the championship game of the cornhole tournament. And I don’t know if you recall, I didn’t come back to school right away because I was worried Mr. Morton wouldn’t be happy with my second-place finish,” Horton added to more laughs from the crowd.
“I just want to thank my parents. My mom’s here, my dad’s here,” Horton continued while gesturing to a memorial necklace he was wearing. “Some of your teachers were my teachers. Mr. Simpson, Ms. Simonson, Ms. Polson. All of my teachers and (my) parents taught me how to work hard and be kind. And you can ask some of them, that wasn’t an easy job when I was 11, 12, 13, 14.”
“I got into teaching in 2006 at an elementary school that fed into Columbine,” Horton shared. “That was seven years after the shooting. It was a time in schools that felt kind of new, I think. I was fortunate to have principals and colleagues that really helped me focus on what matters most, which is students, wellness, happy, healthy kids living the life that they choose. And that’s kind of been my goal.”
“I don’t know what else to say. I’m just so honored to receive this award. I’m very honored to follow Ms. Park. Really well, deserving footsteps there, and (I) appreciate you all being here to celebrate me today.”
“He’s always done wonderful things like this and surprised me,” Horton’s mother Shannon shared with County 10. “I’m very proud of him.”