Thomas Shirey

If you grow up in a family that dedicates themselves to education, your chances are higher that you might end up being an educator yourself. That is exactly what happened to Thomas Shirey, Principal of Highlands High School. His parents were both teachers and later his father became a Superintendent. He has two sisters who are teachers and a brother who was an educator in the military. Believe it or not, his great-grandmother was a teacher in a rural community in a one-room schoolhouse.

After graduating from the public school system himself in 1969, he attended Lock Haven University. He later received his Masters and Principals certificates from Penn State University. Mr. Shirey had a goal for helping children with special needs. He desired to work with children with all disabilities including mental, emotional, and physical. In his first eight years of teaching he had this opportunity. Along with teaching, he also enjoyed coaching football and wrestling.

At Highlands High School, Mr. Shirey is in his fourth position as a principal. After his years in teaching, he worked for North Clarion High School as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. Next, still serving in the Clarion school district, he was the Elementary School Principal and then High School Principal before taking his current position in 1999 for the Highlands School District as High School Principal.

Motivation for Mr. Shirey comes in many forms. He loves what he does and enjoys all the challenges his position brings. He enjoys the kids and being able to help them with their needs. He says that he is "energized by the students." Mr. Shirey is very encouraged seeing his students get involved in activities. He personally attends extracurricular activities of all kinds and says he "attends as many as he can."

Highlands High School offers many opportunities for a diverse group of students. Mr. Shirey is proud of their sports department for their outstanding athletic programs and achievements. They also have a new state-of-the-art athletic complex, which has an all-season playing surface. The High School has had the opportunity to host four play-off events at the new complex.

One exciting goal that will be coming to the school in the near future is electronic grades. This means that parents will be able to pull up information about their children. Parents will be able to view schedules, discipline reports, attendance, and grades. All teachers currently have a PC and submit grades electronically within the school's local network.

What Mr. Shirey likes most about his position is "helping kids." He emphasizes, "Kids are our future. Learning and instructing are the two most import things in a day," he says. He aims to assist his teacher's daily with these challenges. He also hopes that with on-going improvements in all areas of education schools will be stronger by the time he gets to retirement.