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Mid-High Principal Top in State; Rio Rancho's Scott Affentranger Picked As State's High School Principal of the Year

Posted on: Monday, 27 February 2006, 12:00 CST

By ELAINE D. BRISEO Journal Staff Writer

Rio Rancho Mid-High principal Scott Affentranger has earned one of the highest honors in the state for someone in his position.

The New Mexico Association of Secondary School Principals has named him the state's High School Principal of the Year. Affentranger will represent the state at the National Association of Secondary School Principals conference later this year, where he could be selected as the national principal of the year.

The state and national awards, according to the NASSP, recognize principals who have provided "high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as their exemplary contributions to the profession."

Affentranger has a large school to run. The mid-high is home to the all Rio Rancho Public Schools' eighth- and ninthgrade students, with about 2,200 students. Affentranger was nominated by staff at his school.

"I'm embarrassed to win the award," he said. "But I'm honored. I certainly don't consider the job I do as principal any different than any other princi- pals in the state."

After being nominated, Affentranger said he had to answer a series of questions that quizzed how he would handle certain scenarios and his educational philosophy.

Affentranger describes his leadership style as situational, meaning he decides what course of action he should take based on what issue or problem is before him.

"Sometimes, I say this is my decision and we are not going to discuss it," he said. "It is black and white. Other times, I may need to be more supportive and encouraging. I try to diagnose the situation and pick the right leadership response."

Superintendent Sue Cleveland said the district appreciates having Affentranger.

"We are thrilled for him," she said. "I think it's an honor that his staff nominated him and we are proud of him."

Affentranger started his teaching career with Albuquerque Public Schools at Washington Middle School in 1991. He was also a wrestling coach at Sandia High School. In 1995, he stepped into his first role as an administrator when he became an assistant principal at the high school in Moriarty. A year later, he was again stepping up when he was appointed as principal at the middle school there.

The next change would not come until 2000 when RRPS hired him to become an assistant principal at Rio Rancho High School. A year later, he became principal of the midhigh. He spent the first year preparing the school for its 2002 opening.

Affentranger's parents were teachers and inspired him to get into education. It wasn't until later, he said, that he realized he wanted to become an administrator.

"A principalship offers a lot of unique opportunities," he said. "The daily routine is never the same, so there is essentially no routine. I get bored doing the same thing over and over again. And you can make a difference."

Source: Albuquerque Journal

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