The Red Baron adjusts his flight goggles while watching over Dr. T as he spins his wheel of fortune and taps his toe to the "Black Mark Boogie."

Sounds like something out of an old thriller until one realizes that the Red Baron is actually a stuffed Snoopy from the Peanuts characters, and Dr. T is really Vallen Thomas, principal at Foothill Elementary School.

Thomas, affectionately known as Dr. T to his staff and students, is in his second year at Foothill. He actually does spin a wheel of fortune every Friday as part of a student recognition program, and there really is such a thing as the "Black Mark Boogie." He also admits to having a rather extensive collection of Snoopy memorabilia. He's been collecting Snoopy things since he was 5 years old.

Thomas is the first male principal at the school. He says, "It has been the most fun I have had as an administrator. There's a commitment here that is notable."

"The students love and respect Dr. T, and he is well thought-of by the faculty and staff," said office assistant Jan Burr. "He has implemented several student recognition programs that the students are enthused about. Dr. Thomas is a great asset to Foothill and our community."

As for the Black Mark Boogie, Thomas said, "The last 10 minutes of school on Fridays, the kids grab their scrubbers, we turn on music and they take black marks off the floor. It's been a tradition since the beginning of the school."

Foothill Elementary, one of the newest elementary schools in Orem, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. However, the looks of the building make it seem much newer than that. Thomas says its because of the excellent janitorial staff and the teachers and children who help take good care of their school.

Thomas gives high praise to the school's teachers. As Foothill Explorers, they follow the theme of "exploring the possibilities," and the mission statement to Explore, Dream, Discover and Imagine.

One of Thomas's favorite days is Tuesday. It's then he gets to spend his time specifically with the students.

"Every Tuesday I block out the morning hours on my schedule, and I am in the classrooms reading and being with the kids," Thomas said. "I also have Dr. T's Readers, a book club for kids. We meet in the library."

Thomas is proud of the academically diverse organizations and programs at Foothill.

"We have the Giant Steps program, a preschool for children with autism. We have three classrooms for autistic students," he said. "We also have four Accelerated Learning Labs for gifted students. There is lots of creative things going on all the time and students are most accepting of other students."

In a special presentation for Thomas last year, Whitnee Robinson, the school's PTA president in 2008, said this about him: "Dr. Thomas ... has served lunch in his pajamas for a Box Tops promotion, participated in a dunking booth for the PTA Fall Festival, and he is outside each day greeting students and making sure they make it to school and return home safely. At Christmas time, he visited every class to read them a Christmas story. He consistently visits each classroom to help out and get to know each student individually."

Thomas earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University. He earned his doctorate in education from the University of Utah, and has taught or been in administration in the Alpine School District for 17 years. He previously has taught history and English at American Fork and Lone Peak high schools and was assistant principal at Lehi Junior High.

"I have the K-12 experience," Thomas said.

While Snoopy is in clear sight at the school, Thomas has other collectibles, like his golf balls from all over the world. He loves to collect things.

"I like to collect collectibles. It's my grandfather's fault, he ran an antique store," he said. Thomas loves stuff from the Civil War and the American Revolution. He used to take his students to Washington, D.C., each year to see the historical sights.

He and his wife are the parents of two sons, one a freshman at BYU, the other a junior at Timpanogos High school, and one daughter at Orem Junior High. He is originally from Temple City (near Pasadena), Calif., and loves taking his family to the Disney theme parks.