BOX ELDER — The Douglas School District is celebrating longtime educator, coach and administrator Sean Gholson. Gholson was recently named the new Douglas Middle School principal.
Gholson has served as Douglas High School assistant principal for the past five years, but his career began as a social studies teacher in North Dakota. He transferred to South Dakota, teaching in Newell for two years before settling in the Douglas School District, where he has held multiple roles during his 28-year tenure.
Being named Douglas Middle School principal is not the only achievement Gholson and the district are celebrating. Gholson was also named the South Dakota Region 7 Assistant Principal of the Year. He will receive an award and be recognized at the state principals’ conference in June. Gholson was nominated—by whom he is not sure—and noted it is a great feeling to be recognized by his peers.
A graduate of Upton, Wyo., a rural community of approximately 1,000 residents, Gholson credits his own teachers, coaches and administrators for his decision to become an educator. He taught primarily government and geography and was head high school wrestling coach.
Gholson said administration was not always the goal. His first master’s degree was in geography, which he planned to use to enhance his classroom curriculum.
“I kind of steered away from admin because I wanted to keep coaching and stay in the classroom,” Gholson said. He was later approached by his building principal and superintendent, who encouraged him to pursue an administrative degree.
“I feel like it’s the next logical step in my career,” Gholson said. “I’m at the end of my career, so this is a good way to go to a new building and help mentor those underneath me.”
Gholson wants middle school students to experience a positive environment when they walk through the front doors.
“Middle school is that transition from elementary to high school. So how can we help them develop their skills?” he said.
While Gholson said he will miss the students at the high school, he is eager to build relationships with a new set of students.
And when it comes to building relationships, Gholson said he is firm but fair.
“I take the time to get to know them, guiding them in who they are and where they want to be, always being that coach to them,” Gholson said. “I always tell them, ‘You’re going to get a dad speech, so here it comes.’”
In addition to building relationships with students, Gholson said he is excited to work with staff who are new to the education profession.
“I can help them take the next step in their career. That’s my role, too, as an instructional leader of the building, a mentor,” he said.
Working in an educational setting, Gholson said he and other district educators are in a continuous learning mindset. He attends workshops and conferences and seeks out professional literature, but noted that building relationships and learning from others in the profession is key.
“You never know everything,” Gholson said. “Seeking out others that have done it before you and using what they know to help you.”
As middle school students walk through the front doors next school year, they might be interested to know Gholson enjoys fishing and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Dodgers, but there are also a few surprises.
“I play the piano and I’m a big fan of musicals,” Gholson said.
Gholson said he will take time to fish this summer, but he is ready to hit the ground running as he prepares for the next school year.
“I’m proud to be here,” he said.
