The ‘Beet’ Lives on at Jordan High with Kelcey Kemp at the Helm

A beloved member of the Beetdigger family has been chosen to carry on the proud traditions of 117-year-old Jordan High School.

Kelcey Kemp, currently an Assistant Principal at Jordan, has been appointed to serve as Principal with the start of the 2025-2026 contract year. He will replace Dr. Bruce Eschler who is leaving this summer to take a District-level administrative post at Murray School District.

“I’m truly excited by this opportunity and look forward to working more with the community, teachers, staff, and students to build upon what Bruce has accomplished here,” Kemp said. “This is such a strong school with a lot of history, great traditions, and strong alumni base. It’s one of the only schools I’m aware of where, pretty much anywhere you go wearing a Jordan High t-shirt or hat, you’ll run into alumni.”

 A Utah native, and college-level baseball player, Kemp got his start in education as a physical education and health teacher at Brighton High where he also coached baseball. This is his 20th year in education and 14th year working as a school administrator, having worked at Alta, Corner Canyon, and Hillcrest high schools before joining Jordan’s team four years ago.

Kemp has a master’s degree in education from Southern Utah University. Two of his six children will be attending Jordan High next year, including his middle son who plays baseball for the Beetdiggers, one of the highest-performing programs in Utah. “It’s pretty amazing to get to go to school with my kids every day,” he said.

Though an avid sports fan, the competitive pickleball player says what makes Jordan High truly special is the community — the diversity of interests and talents at the school. “Whether our students are showing up for the performing arts, athletics, esports, debate, or our Naval cadet program,” he said, “you see what the parents have instilled in their kids in terms of hard work and determination as they work to achieve their goals and dreams.”

Known for his calm demeanor and for contributing to a culture of respect and collaboration, Kemp looks forward, “as we move further and further away from the pandemic,” to continuing to chase excellence and “make sure students are challenged every day in every classroom.”