Education
Head of Winter Sports School named Administrator of the Year
Tess Miner-Farra honored for excellence in leadership at Utah charter schools
PARK CITY, Utah — Tess Miner-Farra, head of school at The Winter Sports School, received the Administrator of the Year Circle of Excellence award from the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools. This accolade was announced at the association’s annual dinner held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton earlier this month.
Ms. Miner-Farra has led the Winter Sports School, now in its 31st year, for seven years and oversees 110 student-athletes. She told TownLift:
“This recognition, initiated by my staff and supported by my peers in the charter school community in Utah is humbling, and reflects so much beyond my qualities or achievements as an effective school leader. I might provide valuable guidance and support for the faculty, families, and students at WSS, but our success as a school is rooted in the talent and commitment of an extraordinary team of educators. They make the magic happen and our students are the fuel that inspires us to do better and be better so they can succeed. This award reinforces that I am in the right place, doing the right kind of work, it seems. I am infinitely grateful for that.”
The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools aims to promote excellence through advocacy, training, and technical support. There are 115 charter schools in Utah, which must operate as nonprofits and rely on private companies for various services such as legal work, HR/payroll, and accounting.
The Winter Sports School is unique as the only public charter high school in the U.S., with an academic calendar running from April to November. The school has produced graduates who have won numerous titles in various sports, including Olympic and World Championship titles. The school’s core mission is to prepare graduates for success in higher education and beyond.