Shirley Brock
About Shirley
Shirley Brock immigrated to the United States as a child and, after six months, enrolled in Kindergarten. She spoke very little English when she entered school. Her Kindergarten teacher in the Corvallis School District took the extra time and care to make her feel welcome and gave her a sense of belonging. It might have been at this time that she realized she wanted to become a teacher. After beginning her teaching career at the elementary and middle school levels, she became an administrator for Special Education programs for Multnomah ESD and Portland Public Schools (OR). Shirley spent 20 years as a middle school administrator, working in both a rural small district and in the Beaverton School District in Oregon. Her focus has always been on relationships between staff and students and the critical role it plays in school improvement and student achievement. Shirley believes that schools must create a shared understanding of their responsibility to and priorities for students and families, as well as how each person has a vital role moving the school forward to reach their goals.
Shirley’s Story
Education has always held deep significance in Shirley’s life. Her father made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States with one singular purpose: to ensure his children had the opportunity to pursue a college education. That dream became a reality.
Shirley’s first experience in an American school, just months after arriving in the country, left a lasting impact. Although she spoke very little English and there were no ESL services available in the 1960s, her kindergarten teacher embraced both her and her family with unwavering support. Despite the challenges, her teacher never gave up on her—going so far as to attend Shirley’s wedding decades later. That early experience ignited a lifelong passion for education and planted the seeds of her future as a teacher.
Shirley built a rewarding and meaningful career in education, with a strong emphasis on special education. As a teacher, special education administrator, and later a middle school principal, she remained steadfast in her commitment to advocating for students. She firmly believes that every day in education offers a chance for success—sometimes in small ways, but always with the potential to make a lasting difference in a student’s life.