New elementary principal excited about community, students and schools

New Lovell Elementary School principal Colby Gull says it was the people, the students and the sense of community that convinced him Lovell was the right fit for his family.

Gull, who was recently hired by Big Horn County School District No. 2, brings experience as a teacher, principal, special education director and superintendent, but during an interview this week he focused less on titles and accomplishments and more on what drew him to Lovell.

Originally from central Utah, Gull attended South Sevier High School before earning degrees from Southern Utah University and Idaho State University. He began his career teaching special education at Cedar High School in Cedar City, Utah, where he also coached track and cross country.

Although he eventually moved into administration, Gull said his motivation has always centered around helping students and supporting teachers.

“Being a teacher just requires a lot of patience and a lot of compassion for kids,” he said. “My motivation for going into administration was to provide support for teachers who are doing that really hard work.”

He said he also believes administrators can expand their positive influence beyond a single classroom.

“If I’m a teacher, I can have an influence in my classroom,” Gull said. “If I’m a principal, I can have that influence over the whole school.”

Gull said his years in special education also taught him the importance of making sure students receive the support and resources they need to succeed.

But it was his experience visiting Lovell Elementary that helped confirm his interest in the position.

“So I got to do a little tour with a couple of the students there at Lovell Elementary,” Gull said. “They were just fun and engaging and energetic.”

He said the students reflected the positive impression he had already formed from Lovell graduates he has known through the years.

“All of the students that I know from Lovell, I think, ‘You’re really good kids,’” Gull said. “If that’s the kind of kids Lovell is producing, then that seems like a really good place to be.”

He was equally impressed with the teachers and staff he met during the interview process.

“The teachers that I got to talk to were fun. They were engaged,” Gull said. “I know there’s really hard work being done at Lovell, but none of the teachers I talked to were afraid of that work.”

Instead, Gull said the staff seemed energized about continuing to improve the school and move forward together.

“I think that makes it even more appealing to come to Lovell and say, ‘OK, we’ve got some great things started. Let’s take that next big step forward for kids.’”

Outside of education, Gull said his family enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting and exploring the outdoors — another reason Lovell appealed to him.

“There are pheasants, and there are chukars, and there are geese,” Gull said with a laugh. “I told my wife, ‘We should move to Lovell because look at all these opportunities.’”

He also said he already looks forward to spending time in the Big Horn Mountains.

“We love to hike,” Gull said. “We spend a lot of time kicking around the hills and doing all of those things.”

Gull is expected to officially begin his duties at Lovell Elementary later this summer ahead of the upcoming school year.