Dr. Dalton was raised in the small town of Minersville, Utah, where he learned the value of hard work and dedication on the family farm and is the first generation in his family to attend college. As a result of being the student of an outstanding high school science teacher (Mr. Stucki), Dr. Dalton decided to pursue a career in education, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master’s in Education Administration from Southern Utah University and returned to his alma mater, high school, and began his teaching career. At 25, he began his administrative career as the vice principal of the same high school ( Beaver High School). The school experienced steady academic achievements under his leadership for the next six years. An in-district transfer allowed him to take his leadership skills to the elementary level, where after five years, the school received national recognition as a Blue Ribbon School. In 2011 Dr. Dalton accepted the superintendent position in the Garfield School District, where declining student enrollment and a slow recovery from the economic recession refined his leadership skills to make the district financially stable. Over the next five years, Garfield School District saw substantial academic student growth in concurrent enrollment, digital high school courses, and state proficiency levels. As a result of his accomplishments as a school superintendent in Garfield School District, he was offered the superintendent of schools in the Kane School District in 2016 and continues to serve in this capacity. Dr. Dalton completed his Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Technology from William Howard Taft University in 2015. During the COVID pandemic, the district needed a Physics teacher, and Dr. Dalton gladly accepted the teaching assignment and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be back in the classroom. Dr. Dalton was selected in 2022 by his peers to be the Utah School Superintendent of the year. However, the greatest accomplishments in his life are being the father to three wonderful children and being married to the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Melinda, for the past 29 years!
Past AASA Utah Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2022 Utah Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Jeff Stephens
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement