As a member of the Ringgold family since 2008 and Principal of Ringgold High School since 2013, I am proud to have worked with many of you for several years--and I am eager to work with newer members of our community to make our school the best place it can be.

Ringgold High School offers our students a quality education in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. Our various instructional departments provide rigorous academic experiences with the flexibility to explore individual interests -- along with the support necessary for each student to achieve his or her goals. Our one-to-one technology program and ongoing professional learning efforts ensure that our expert teachers have the ability to put the leading research-based practices to work in their classrooms.

Although students are required to work hard academically, numerous opportunities exist for involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities --  including team sports, cultural interests, theatrical performances and community service.

Of course, none of this works without strong relationships. Like many of you reading this, I understand and respond to the new challenges that our schools and students face, but I still embrace “old school” values. I prefer personal conversations to PowerPoints and put more stock in a handshake than a “heart”or “thumbs-up” on social media. More important, I am a family man myself; with three school-aged children and a wife who is also an educator, I truly understand what school means as a parent as well as a principal.

What does this mean for you?  It means that here at Ringgold High School, your children will get everything that they need to become successful citizens -- in an environment that enables them to thrive.  In addition to having a nationally recognized safety program, we have put building a positive school climate at the forefront of efforts through Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and ongoing work in restorative practices -- two proven frameworks for developing and sustaining productive and nurturing communities.

Through this work, it is my hope-- and the hope of my entire staff --  that every student at Ringgold High School will have a highly satisfying educational and personal experience.

It is a pleasure to serve the students, parents, and community of the Ringgold Rams! 

Here at Ringgold High School, we hope to inspire each of our students with the confidence to pursue learning as a lifelong endeavor.  If we think about the changes in our world over the past few years -- not to mention the last decade or two -- it’s not hard to see how critical it is to learn and adapt. There are jobs today that didn’t exist in recent memory --and many older ones have changed drastically. We know that our students will face challenges and opportunities that we have yet to imagine; and we understand that for them to be successful, it’s not just important to give them knowledge and skills for the immediate future, but to help them develop the persistence and resourcefulness to change as the world does.

To ensure this, our staff models lifelong learning. Through ongoing professional learning, we work together to study research-based practices and continuously improve our school. Because we engage in this demanding work, we better appreciate the rewards of setting and achieving new goals.  Maybe more important, though, we understand firsthand the challenges that our students face -- and the need to foster positive and supportive relationships with each one. No matter what the specific educational or extracurricular setting, our first concern is always, “How are you today?”

It is my firm belief that great achievement begins with a great relationship. I look forward to working with you to make both of those happen.

Although it’s not my official title, “The Shipman Bridge” is probably the best description of my role here at RHS. In addition to my responsibilities as Dean, I also teach social studies -- giving me a presence in both the main office and the classroom. More important, though, the “Bridge” captures my personal philosophy about what education is really all about: Relationships.

For me, relationship-building -- with students and colleagues -- is the foundation of everything that we do here at RHS. It starts with listening, giving each person an opportunity to simply be heard, without preconceptions or judgment, and then developing a shared understanding based on mutual respect. This is what I strive for in my interactions -- and what I hope to cultivate in our learning community. 

I joined Rinngold in 2013. Prior to coming here, I taught social studies at Academy Charter School for 7 years and at Johnstown High School, also for 7 years. I have a master’s degree in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania, and I earned my teaching degree at Waynesburg University. In addition, I have been a basketball coach for more than 20 years; although I naturally cheer on our Rams, I am currently coaching at Jeannette High School in Greensburg, which is closer to my home in New Stanton, where I live with my wife and two daughters.