Doug McCasey has replaced Steven Patterson as the Assistant Principal of Student Services at CHS as of Jan. 6. McCasey lived in Michigan for 23 years, where he attended Sault Area High School and Central Michigan University in Michigan before moving to California, where he taught English for 10 years at San Jacinto High School before coming to CHS. He earned his Masters in Educational Administration online at the Grand Canyon University in Arizona.

“The administrative staff has been very helpful and insightful. I have learned a lot from them about the school and the district,” McCasey said.

In addition to teaching, McCasey was the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Creativity/Action/Service coordinator at San Jacinto, leading its establishment at the school. He was impressed with the success of the International Baccalaureate program as well as the constant college and career readiness displayed at CHS.

“I hope to develop as a school administrator and learn more about how to improve programs to make them serve students as effectively as possible,” McCasey said.

His position mainly focuses on progressive discipline, mentoring, and promoting academic honesty. McCasey became interested and passionate about education because he viewed it as a way to help students prepare for college and future careers. His goals for CHS are to increase student success in all areas and to always be a positive mentor to students. McCasey also wants to create a good rapport with students, parents, and staff.

“We are having a lot of fun collaborating and learning the high school process together,” Assistant Principal Clara Dehmer said.

From his experience at San Jacinto High School, McCasey gained instructional leadership, organizational skills, and has learned to value the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

“It is great to have Mr. McCasey as part of the Administrative Team at CHS. For the last 10 years, he has been a classroom teacher, so he really understands what life is like in the classroom for students,” Principal Dr. Brett O’Connor said. “In the short time he has been here, he has demonstrated that he understands and cares about teenagers. He is off to a great start.”