Principal
Writings and Educational Resources
Welcome Message
Dear Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Students, Parents and Community,
My name is Michael Niehoff and I am the new principal of your outstanding high school. I am well aware of the fine traditions and many successes of SYVUHS and am very excited to be working with the entire school community. Indeed, I have been nothing short of impressed about the obvious pride displayed by everyone I meet. When I first visited the school in early April, I was extremely impressed with the students, teachers and staff and observed a healthy and dynamic learning environment. Over the last several weeks, I have had the distinct opportunity to meet and connect with students, staff, parents and community members. With each contact, I become more inspired about all of the amazing, successful work we can do together.
I am an experienced high school educator who has been a high school English/Media Teacher, Activities Director/Leadership Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal. I have also worked in leadership positions at a community college, a county office of education and in the area of professional learning facilitation. Through my diverse experiences, many themes and common successes have emerged. These include, but are not limited to college and career readiness for the 21st century, project-based and problem-based learning, career technical education, positive learning environments and campus culture, professional use and integration of educational technology, student leadership, service learning and successful community partnerships. I look forward to maintaining the excellence that Santa Ynez has enjoyed, while challenging all of us to continue to aim even higher on behalf of each and every single student.
In addition to an instructional focus on project-based learning and an overall emphasis on a student-oriented school culture, I have interests in supporting a variety of focused efforts. These include things such as an Hispanic Future Professionals Conference, a Student Entrepreneur Competition called the Pirate Pitch and much more. We are introducing some new tools and resources for our students and families such as The SCOIR College Network, the Treedom Service Learning Platform and others.
Essentially, if it's not illegal or immoral, why shouldn't we give it a try. I challenge all students, staff, parents and community members to embrace this spirit and bring a sense of creativity, collaboration, innovation and higher level learning to the entire SYVUHS family.
I feel truly honored to be representing the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School community as your principal. I look forward to getting to know all of our amazing students and families while hoping to collaborate with all of you over the weeks and months ahead. Please feel free to contact me at my information below. Let’s make the 2022-2023 school year a great experience for everyone. Thank you for your time and consideration. (Learn more about Michael Niehoff in this Bio Page.)
Sincerely,
Principal
Office (805) 688-6487 Ext. 3571
Cell (559) 287- 4078
email: [email protected]
Estimados estudiantes, padres y comunidad de la escuela secundaria Santa Ynez Valley Union:
Mi nombre es Michael Niehoff y soy el nuevo director de su excelente escuela secundaria. Soy muy consciente de las excelentes tradiciones y muchos éxitos de SYVUHS y estoy muy emocionado de trabajar con toda la comunidad escolar. De hecho, me ha impresionado mucho el evidente orgullo que muestran todas las personas con las que me encuentro. Cuando visité la escuela por primera vez a principios de abril, quedé muy impresionado con los estudiantes, los maestros y el personal y observé un ambiente de aprendizaje saludable y dinámico. Durante las últimas semanas, he tenido la oportunidad única de conocer y conectarme con estudiantes, personal, padres y miembros de la comunidad. Con cada contacto, me inspiro más sobre todo el trabajo increíble y exitoso que podemos hacer juntos.
Soy un educador de escuela secundaria con experiencia que ha sido maestro de inglés/medios de comunicación de escuela secundaria, director de actividades/maestro de liderazgo, subdirector y director. También he trabajado en posiciones de liderazgo en un colegio comunitario, una oficina de educación del condado y en el área de facilitación del aprendizaje profesional. A través de mis diversas experiencias, han surgido muchos temas y éxitos comunes. Estos incluyen, entre otros, preparación universitaria y profesional para el siglo XXI, aprendizaje basado en proyectos y problemas, educación técnica profesional, entornos de aprendizaje positivos y cultura del campus, uso profesional e integración de tecnología educativa, liderazgo estudiantil, aprendizaje de servicio. y asociaciones comunitarias exitosas. Espero mantener la excelencia que ha disfrutado Santa Ynez, mientras nos desafía a todos a continuar apuntando aún más alto en nombre de todos y cada uno de los estudiantes.
Además de un enfoque instructivo en el aprendizaje basado en proyectos y un énfasis general en una cultura escolar orientada al estudiante, tengo interés en apoyar una variedad de esfuerzos enfocados. Estos incluyen cosas como una Conferencia de Futuros Profesionales Hispanos, una Competencia de Estudiantes Empresarios llamada Pirate Pitch y mucho más. Estamos presentando algunas herramientas y recursos nuevos para nuestros estudiantes y familias, como The SCOIR College Network, the Treedom Service Learning Platform y otros.
Esencialmente, si no es ilegal o inmoral, ¿por qué no deberíamos intentarlo? Desafío a todos los estudiantes, el personal, los padres y los miembros de la comunidad a adoptar este espíritu y brindar un sentido de creatividad, colaboración, innovación y aprendizaje de alto nivel a toda la familia SYVUHS.
Me siento verdaderamente honrado de representar a la comunidad de Santa Ynez Valley Union High School como su director. Espero conocer a todos nuestros increíbles estudiantes y familias mientras espero colaborar con todos ustedes durante las próximas semanas y meses. No dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en mi información a continuación. Hagamos que el año escolar 2022-2023 sea una gran experiencia para todos. Gracias por su tiempo y consideración. (Obtenga más información sobre Michael Niehoff en esta pagina de biografia).
Atentamente,
Principal
Oficina (805) 688-6487 Ext. 3571
Teléfono móvil (559) 287- 4078
email: [email protected]
Biography
Michael is a lifelong learner who has always advocated for authentic learning experiences, student agency and innovation. After several years in the media industry, he became an educator to empower students to ideate, create and advocate.
He recently became the principal of Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Additionally, he has been a teacher, advisor, director, site leader, coach and adult professional learning facilitator. His students, programs and school sites have been recognized by Apple, Google, CUE, NASSP, NOD, AMAE, CLHS, CSBA, CVCUE, CADA, JEA and many others. He was the founding principal of the award-winning, 1:1, project-based Minarets High School / Minarets Charter High School that opened in 2008.
He is a columnist for Getting Smart and EdSurge, but has also contributed content to
District Administration, ISTE, Next Gen Learning, P21, eSchool News, Educational Technology & Mobile Learning, USC Rossier Online, Grey Ed Solutions and Ed Social Media. He also publishes regularly on his own Education Blog entitled Edu Change & Student Advocacy. Michael is a Google Certified Innovator who has facilitated professional learning for PBLWorks, CUE, iLEAD Schools and the Maker Learning Network.
His areas of focus include, but are not limited to project-based and problem-based learning, career technical education, school culture, new literacies and skills, transformational leadership, student voice & choice, ed tech integration, school redesign and more. He is a past CUE & CVCUE Site Leader of the Year, as well as an ACSA Region IX Secondary Principal of the Year.
Follow him on Twitter @mwniehoff or learn more about him at Learners Empowered.
