By Castle Valley Center Staff
Mike Keller is the principal at Castle Valley Center, a school for people with disabilities in Carbon School District. Mike was born and raised in Price, and is the oldest of seven children born to Daniel and Athlen Keller. He is a graduate of Carbon High and a graduate of the College of Eastern Utah. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University, graduating with degree in Vocational Education. Mike is also a returned LDS missionary, having served in Ohio and West Virginia, and has worked in many church callings, including being the bishop of his ward here in Price.
Mike began teaching in 1977 at the old Ann Self School and worked with adults with disabilities in the wood shop. He also drove bus as a way to get the adults back and forth to school. Mike has always been a guy who is willing to do the work to get things accomplished when there is a need.
During his first year of teaching, Mike met Lana Lessing, also a first year teacher, and they were married in June of 1978. Mike and Lana have six children, Emily, Kristin, Daniel, Michael, Angela and Jana, whom they are very proud of. They have 14 grandchildren.
Anyone who knows Mike knows he has two big hobbies he is very involved in: fishing and the Boy Scouts of America. Mike has worked with the scouts in many leadership positions and was able to meet President Donald Trump last year at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. As soon as school got out this year, Mike and Lana headed off to Africa for a safari.
Mike likes his job and likes that every day brings a new adventure. There is never a dull moment at the Castle Valley Center! Mike provides great leadership for the school and has many students and parents over the years who appreciate the great service he has provided in the education of people with disabilities, making sure that they too have access to educational opportunities that meet their unique needs. The Castle Valley Center feels very fortunate to have Mike Keller as its principal!