Monthly Featured Member – August 2015

This month we are highlighting Rotarian Jay Bishop.

 

When did you join Rotary?  I was recently inducted as a Rotarian on May 20, 2015. 

Why did you join Rotary? West Geauga High School and the Chesterland Rotary have always had a wonderful relationship while working to inspire and promote service among our children.  I, too, would like to give back to the community and the organization that has involved the West Geauga students for so many years.

What offices have you held while in Rotary and what years if you know?  I have not held an office within Rotary.

What committees are you currently involved in and what is your role?  I am not currently involved with any committees.

What do you enjoy most about being a Rotarian?  Upon joining the Rotary in May, I have enjoyed meeting the members and learning about their history with Rotary.  I enjoy meeting fellow Rotarians who share similar values in leadership and humanitarian service.  It has been a great experience working closely with Chelsea Talty and West Geauga’s Interact Club to raise money to provide needed supplies for charities worldwide.  Specifically, this year’s Wolverun Color Run was an extremely successful event and enjoyed by many.  I look forward to working with Rotary and Interact to grow the event into an annual fundraiser. 

Tell us about your career/occupation.  Upon graduating from Kent State University in 1995, I was hired by West Geauga Local Schools to teach technology education.  During my tenure in the classroom I taught Woods & Metals, Architecture, Engineering, Electricity, AutoCAD, Drafting and television production.  I also advised the television production club, West G TV.  Prior to moving to the school’s administrative team I served as a wrestling and golf coach.  In the fall of 2007 I was hired as the high school’s assistant principal.  Beginning with the 2015-2106 school year I will enter my third year as the building principal.

West Geauga High School was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education.  This is the highest honor that can be awarded to a school and our success is due to strong community support and involvement and highly qualified teachers. Positive relationships with community organizations are a vital component in our success. Local organizations like the Rotary and Kiwanis (and its student organization, Interact) play an active role through citizenship, volunteering and assisting community members in need.  With over 120 students in our student council, and roughly 65% of our students participating in extracurricular activities, the entire aforementioned are what makes West the Best!  I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this community.
 
 
Any personal interesting facts you would like to share?  I live in Concord Township with my wife, Dorothy, and three children, Nicholas (7), Justin (5) and James (3).  I enjoy spending my free time with my family by going to museums, enjoying the outdoors and building model rockets.  Prior to becoming  principal, I owned a photography business and pressure washing company.  I was born on a NATO base in Iceland while my father was served in the Vietnam War. 
 
What other community/volunteer activities are you involved in?  Currently, I volunteer as a coach to my sons’ little league baseball teams.   This past year I worked West Geauga Kiwanis’ Annual Pancake Breakfast, participated in the 1st annual After-Prom Fashion Show fundraiser, and assisted in the organization of West Geauga’s first annual Relay for Life Cancer Fundraising event.