Enid Buzz | Monday, April 18, 2016
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Clay Vinyard will be the next principal of Enid High School
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ENID, Okla. - Enid Board of Education members approved his employment during their meeting Monday night. Vinyard is a seasoned educator who has experience as a teacher, principal and central office administrator in several Oklahoma City metro-area schools.
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“We are excited to name Mr. Clay Vinyard as the new principal of Enid High School,” Dr. Darrell Floyd, EPS Superintendent, said. “I believe that his proven set of administrative skills and abilities will serve the EHS faculty, staff and student body very well and will help to continue moving that campus forward in a positive direction.”
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Vinyard began his career in education in 2003 as a high school science teacher for Oklahoma City Public Schools, before serving as a middle school science teacher for Moore Public Schools from 2009-11. He then served as an OKCPS assistant principal before joining the district’s Human Resources Department to assist with the recruitment of secondary-level educators.
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In 2013, Vinyard took the helm of U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City and helped the school improve its academic standing on the state accountability system. During his tenure, U.S. Grant was named a model Professional Learning Community (PLC) school for its commitment to collaboration, best practices, student achievement and professional development. Vinyard also implemented “Link Crew,” a student mentoring program designed to help 9th-graders transition to high school and increase graduation rates. It has since been adopted by other metro-area schools.
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This school year, Vinyard is serving as principal of Putnam City High School, as well as a mentor for other principals across the state through the Oklahoma Principals Leadership Academy at the University of Central Oklahoma.
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Doug Stafford, EPS Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, said Vinyard’s commitment to student success makes him an excellent fit for EHS.
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“We are ecstatic to welcome Mr. Vinyard to Enid Public Schools, and we are confident he will be an excellent leader for the students and staff at EHS,” Doug Stafford, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, said. “In our district, the focus is always what is best for students. This is a philosophy that Mr. Vinyard demonstrates every day in his work and life. He has what it takes to help EHS soar to new heights.”
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Vinyard said he is excited to bring his student-centered approach to education to Enid, where he knows others already share his passion.
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“Ultimately, I want all Enid High School students to be successful and happy. I want them to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue their dreams when they leave our school,” he said. “Successful and happy people have high self-esteem, create and maintain rewarding relationships, are able to think critically, and demonstrate resiliency when faced with adversity. To help students obtain these qualities, we have to focus on the whole child. To do this we must assess our current reality, remove barriers to success, implement systems to support our students' needs, and be focused on results.”
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Vinyard said he believes education is a community effort and that he welcomes involvement by all local stakeholders.
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“Parents, teachers, students and Enid residents can expect me to be accessible,” Vinyard said. “My door is always open. I want to hear your thoughts and input on issues in the community and anything you feel will make our school better for the students.”
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Vinyard earned his undergraduate degree from UCO and his graduate degree from Southern Nazarene University. His expertise has been utilized on many district-level committees for topics including technology, grading policies, data/assessment and graduation-rate improvement.
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Vinyard, his wife and three children will make their home in Enid. He will begin his duties July 1, but will be in Enid throughout the next few months to assist with the transition process. According to Stafford, a public reception will be hosted this summer to allow parents, students and community members to meet him if they have not already had the opportunity.
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“I am really excited about the sense of community and positive culture of EHS,” Vinyard said. “I have watched several YouTube clips created by the student body. I was captivated by the school pride highlighted in the videos. I am thrilled to be a part of the EHS family.”
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Vinyard will succeed Jim Beierschmitt, who was an administrator at EHS for 14 years.
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Vinyard Named Enid High School Principal
