Associate principal hired for high school

By Mary L. Grady

Michael Schiehser from Fullerton, Calif., has been named a new associate principal for Mercer Island High School. He will begin his duties in August. He takes over for interim associate principal, Dan Peterson.

Schiehser has been a biology and physiology teacher at Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, Calif., for six years. Beyond his teaching, he is the director of the school's campus-wide advisory and leadership program called Promoting Unity and Social Harmony (PUSH), the school site webmaster, and a peer coach for the school's new teacher support and assessment program.

The district received 60 applicants for the associate principal position in two separate searches this spring.

Superintendent Cyndy Simms and new Mercer Island High School principal, John Harrison, made the final decision regarding hiring Schiehser after a committee of teachers, students and parents interviewed finalists.

Schiehser earned a bachelor of arts in biology and education from the University of Colorado and a master of science degree in educational leadership and administration from California State University, Fullerton. He was voted ``Teacher of the Year'' at Fullerton Union High School. He has also been a Science Olympiad coach and cross-country track coach.

Schiehser was born in Oregon, and grew up in Pennsylvania before heading west for college. He and his wife have a baby girl.

The educator is a National Board Certified Teacher, the only such teacher in the district, Simms noted. A handful of teachers here are working toward the certification.

``I look forward to working closely with students, faculty, staff, and community members to continue the growth and excellence at Mercer Island High School,'' Schiehser said. ``To be given the opportunity to work with such a highly qualified and successful staff is an honor.''

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