LCHS names assistant principal
La Cañada Unified school board members got up early Wednesday, unanimously approving a new assistant principal for La Cañada High School 9/12.
Aaron Dover, most recently assistant principal of Duarte High School, was named to the position during a special 8 a.m. board meeting.
“It is with great pleasure that I recommend Mr. Dover to the board for the position of assistant principal of La Cañada High School,” said Wendy Sinnette, assistant superintendent for human resources. “We had a rigorous selection process and cast out a wide net to be sure we came back with the best possible candidate.”
Dover takes the reins from departing LCHS Assistant Principal Kevin Buchanan.
“I realized there were big expectations for me early on in the interview process,” Dover said. “I will do whatever it takes to meet those expectations.”
Dover earned his bachelor’s degree in American literature and culture in 1999 from UCLA. Five years later he received his master’s in education administration from the University of La Verne.
Last month, Buchanan announced he was leaving LCHS at the end of the year to become principal of Oak Park High School in Ventura County. Dover started his career in the Duarte Unified School District, rising from teacher to assistant principal.
In 1999, Dover started teaching English at Duarte High School. He was promoted to assistant principal in 2005 at the school, where he was in charge of curriculum, guidance and instruction.
Dover said he is hoping to continue meeting the needs of all students.
“I am very interested in programs the guidance department has, so we can be sure we can serve kids to help them meet all of their post-secondary goals,” Dover said.
Duarte High School was given the Distinguished School Award and the Title I Academic Award in 2007. One year later, the high school’s Academic Decathlon team won the national championship for medium-sized schools. Dover is hoping to replicate that success at LCHS.
“I feel the pressure to meet the high expectations of the district, and I am very happy they have appointed me,” Dover said. “I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting right to work.”