Mr. McArthur's Home Page
Thank you for visiting the school website. I am honored to be in Thermopolis and to be working with our great students and parents. The following is a little about my family and me.
I was born in Bakersfield, CA and have lived in California, Idaho, and Wyoming. I graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1993. Several years later I graduated from Western Wyoming Community College with an Associates of Arts degree. After Western Wyoming I attended and graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelors degree in Music Education. After graduating from Idaho State University, I took my first teaching job in Rexburg Idaho as a music teacher. While teaching music, I finished my master’s degree in Educational Administration from Idaho State University. I accepted my first administrative assignment at Idaho Falls High School in Idaho Falls, ID and worked as an assistant principal there for 6 years. After my time in Idaho, I accepted the principal position at Hot Springs County High School.
I am excited to join the school district and to be aligned with district initiatives and improvement efforts. I believe that our and all students deserve the best we have to offer and I have total confidence that we are on the right paths that will lead to their success.
I am glad to be in Thermopolis with my wonderful wife, Joy and my four amazing kids, Macey, Carsen, Michael, and Sydni. My hobbies include spending time with my family, being in the outdoors, music performance, watercolor painting, and others.
To contact Mr. McArthur, email him at:
or call Hot Springs County High School 864-6511
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The staff at Hot Springs County High School participates in Professional Learning Communities to improve student learning.
Hot Springs County School District #1 Professional Learning Community by definition:
Hot Springs County School District #1 in partnership with students and community operates under the principles of a professional learning community. This process by definition involves all staff members working together in teams to reach common goals for which they are mutually accountable. The goals must be strategic, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound (SMART goals). These goals are updated and revised using student achievement data at routinely planned intervals throughout the school year. Following review, the team researches best practices to improve student performance and adjust instruction. The district believes that the key to improved student learning is continuous, job embedded learning for teachers.
3 Big Ideas of a Professional Learning Community (PLC)
1. Focus on Learning
The fundamental purpose of the school is to ensure high levels of learning for all students. This focus on learning translates into four critical questions that drive the daily work of the school. In PLCs, educators demonstrate their commitment to helping all students learn by working collaboratively to address the following critical questions:
1) What do we want students to learn? What should each student know and be able to do as a result of each unit, grade level, and/or course?
2) How will we know if they have learned? Are we monitoring each student’s learning on a timely basis?
3) What will we do if they don’t learn? What systematic process is in place to provide additional time and support for students who are experiencing difficulty?
4) What will we do if they already know it?
2. Build a COLLABORATIVE CULTURE
• No school can help all students achieve at high levels if teachers work in isolation.
• Schools improve when teachers are given the time and support to work together to clarify essential student learning, develop common assessments for learning, analyze evidence of student learning, and use that evidence to learn from one another.
3. Focus on Results
- PLCs measure their effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions.
- All programs, policies, and practices are continually assessed on the basis of their impact on student learning.
- All staff members receive relevant and timely information on their effectiveness in achieving intended results.
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Members of Hot Springs County High School Site Council Include:
Mike Conner
Tracy Medina
Fred Crosby
Jennifer and Chris Paris also CCC
Susan Abbott
Mari Marquart
Jodi Sievers
Joe McCain
Glen Thomas
Marque and Michael Bohleen
Elizabeth Brumlow
Jason McArthur Principal
