Bob Shirley Dr. Robert Shirley, who was head of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School from 1978 to 2000, has been tapped to be head of Charleston Collegiate School (formerly Sea Island Academy) on John’s Island. Shirley has been consulting with Charleston Collegiate School from 2000 until now and will work for them full time starting in July of 2005.

During the last four years, Shirley has consulted with many other schools and was also the interim director of two schools, Brimer and May in Boston and Gaston Day School in Gastonia, NC. During these four years, he was also interim director of the Columbia Museum of Art.

During his career, Shirley has published two books of poetry and many short stories. Writing is one of his passions. His passion for education is another. He says, “When I was in college I majored in English and always wanted to teach.” He says he is committed to working with teachers and students to make “conditions where people can develop.”

He has a plan to accomplish this which he is taking with him to Charleston Collegiate School. He calls them the “Five New Basics.”

1. Powerful command of the English language, both written and spoken.

2. To be techno– literate.

3. Understand that collaboration is necessary in today’s world.

4. Function and survive in a multi–culture, multi–racial environment

5. Know a second language.

It is Shirley’s hope that all of his students will gain a command of these basics, so they can thrive when they leave the halls of his school.