By CHARLENE PAUL
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School has added to administrators to its staff. Mr. Ron Lustig has taken the spot of Assistant Principal at the school and Duane McMinn has joined the team as the Dean of Students. Both men are new to the Moapa Valley community.
Assistant Principal Ron Lustig is retired from the United States Coast Guard. He explained that he didn’t start college until he was 30 years old.
“I was on my own since the age of 15 in Coney Island,” Lustig said. “I learned that I had a knack for teaching, so that’s what I decided to do.”
Lustig began his teaching career in Orlando, Florida. He has experience in elementary, middle and high school level education.
He was not long in his new career when he began to be recognized for his talents. “After a year of teaching, I was voted Teacher of the Year for Orange County,” Lustig said. “I was runner-up for Florida State Teacher of the Year twice.”
Lustig was eventually hired by the Clark County School District as an Adult Education Coordinator in Las Vegas. He worked there for two months before being appointed as principal at Burke Preparatory Academy. After one year at Burke, he was appointed principal of Eldorado High School where he served for three years.
But more recently, after 20 years of working in inner-city schools, Lustig and his wife were ready for a change.
“My wife is a country girl, so we decided to go to the country,” he said. “We are so excited to be here. The community, students and school really rolled out the red carpet for us. I am so impressed by the parents, teachers, staff and community members.”
When asked what he would like people to know about him, Lustig said, “I have a heart of gold and a funny sense of humor. I am really kind-hearted. I want to do whatever it takes for students to become productive, responsible citizens.”
Lustig and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one son. They have two granddaughters and seven grandsons ranging in age from one to 13.
The Lustigs recently purchased a home in Logandale and will be moving into the valley in the near future.
MVHS welcomed Duane McMinn a month ago as its new dean of students. McMinn hails from Maryland where he taught Social Studies for 10 years. He worked for another 10 years as athletic director and test coordinator.
After moving to Las Vegas, he worked at two different middle schools. Last April, he was appointed as dean of students at Kenny Guinn Middle School. Last summer when the dean positions in CCSD were being dissolved for a time because of budget cuts, McMinn realized he might soon be back in the classroom as a teacher. Eventually, that crisis was settled and Dean positions were restored.
“I wasn’t sure where I would be at the beginning of this school year,” McMinn said. “But once things were settled, I was back at the dean position at Guinn.”
When he learned that the dean position was open at MVHS, he decided to apply.
“Where I come from in Maryland is a rural area, so it seemed like a good fit,” McMinn said.
After four weeks with the students, staff and community, McMinn is happy about his choice. “The kids are really well-behaved, and there is such a great support system here,” he said.
McMinn said that his focus has been on safety at the school. “We are making improvements that will reflect well at MVHS,” he said.
When he is not ‘referree-ing’ high school students, McMinn is the Head Referee in the United States for USA Roller Sports (Rink Hockey). His position with the sport has taken him all over the world.
“I have been to South Africa, Uruguay, Columbia and twice to Spain,” McMinn said.
McMinn said that the new position at MVHS has, thus far, been a pleasure. “I have felt so welcome and am so glad to be here,” McMinn said. “My door is always open. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
