New Shaker Heights High School Principal Isaiah Wyatt finds promise in community and collaboration
By Julie Hullett
Photos by Gus Chan
On a frigid morning in February, Isaiah Wyatt introduced himself to members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) at Shaker Heights High School. Wyatt had just been appointed interim principal of the High School. One by one, Wyatt called students up to stand with him, and locked arms to demonstrate his motto, “Stronger Together.”
Wyatt was selected as the permanent principal of Shaker Heights High School this spring, and is already making strides with his commitment to fostering a sense of community and collaborating with students and staff.
“I don’t come to the table with all the answers for everything, but collectively, we will have the answer,” Wyatt says.
Fan the Spark into a Flame
Wyatt has been a rising star at Shaker Heights High School since he joined the District in 2023, as a high school assistant principal in charge of the Innovative Center (IC) for Personalized Learning. Wyatt immersed himself in the values and mission of the Shaker Heights Schools in a small, intimate environment where he could build close relationships with the students and staff.
Wyatt, a 2005 graduate of East High School in Cleveland, had his sights set on playing football at The Ohio State University, a dream that Wyatt’s father instilled in him as a child. Wyatt played football his senior year of high school, then began his undergraduate degree at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to meet OSU’s academic eligibility guidelines.
Once he had a few college courses under his belt, Wyatt transferred to the University of Akron, where he thought he would be a walk-on for the football team. There, he learned the importance of being a student first, then a student-athlete. In the past, he completed academic assignments to receive the points, but did not learn the content. After a brief period on academic probation, Wyatt tried out for the University of Akron football team, with no callback.
“That moment brought me down to a level of reality,” Wyatt says. “I needed to do the work to get the goal that I wanted.” This lesson applied to academics and athletics. Eventually, he transferred to Malone University in Canton, where he played NCAA Division II football.
Pour Into Others as Others Pour Into You
Wyatt credits much of his success to mentors throughout his life, who have imparted their wisdom to him and guided him to reach his highest potential. Through his journey to Malone University, Wyatt realized that relationships were critical to his success.
“I learned what I needed as a student. I needed relationships. I needed classes where the teachers knew my name,” Wyatt says. “At Malone, I was no longer trying to hide from my work. I wanted to do it because I valued my teachers and coaches, and they believed in me. Through relationships, I pushed myself more. I felt accountable to the people who believed in me.”
Wyatt graduated from Malone with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He earned his master’s degree in school counseling while also coaching football at Malone.
There is something for every child, and there is a faculty or staff member who cares about that child and their interests. You will find family here in whatever pocket you have interest in. Everyone will accept and embrace you for who you are.
Hired at Canton McKinley High School as a school counselor, Wyatt went on to serve in several other roles, including assistant principal and dean of students. He notes many mentors throughout his education and career who have helped shape him into the man he is today, including Mark Harris of Raw Talent Sports; Dr. Susan Steiner, his graduate adviser at Malone; Football Head Coach Eric Hehman at Malone; and Principal Dr. Corey D. Grubbs at Canton McKinley.
Wyatt’s lifelong experience with mentors led him to another one of his popular sayings, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
A Move to Shaker
As Wyatt’s family grew, he and his wife, April, were looking to move closer to their families in Cleveland. Wyatt began researching the Shaker Heights City School District and was pleased to find that its values were similar to his own. He joined the team at the IC and was named Interim Principal of SHHS in December and appointed as Principal in April.
Once joining the Shaker Heights Schools, Wyatt was paired with Dr. Felecia Evans, assistant superintendent of learning and teaching, as part of the District’s mentoring program for new administrators. Evans says she has already seen tremendous growth since Wyatt joined the District in 2023.
“Principal Wyatt is very reflective in a positive way. He seeks feedback, not only from me as a supervisor and mentor, but also from his teachers, assistant principals and students,” Evans says. “We’ve seen communication increase, and there’s promise that good things are coming for Shaker Heights High School.”
Evans notes that Wyatt has not taken a traditional route to leadership and shares his story with the students at school assemblies. Wyatt is an exemplary model for students to see that academics may not be easy for everyone, but everyone still has a bright future ahead of them.
“Principal Wyatt worked hard and uses his journey as a reflection to make himself a better leader,” Evans says. “He is open in sharing that with students and staff. That makes him unique, and it makes him a more empathetic leader.”
Building Community
At Shaker Heights High School, Wyatt is focused on building a sense of community through collaboration. He is working to bring an unprecedented level of pride and support to the school. School culture, Wyatt says, plays an important role in solving challenges that all schools face.
Wyatt strongly believes that every student can find their home. “There is something for every child, and there is a faculty or staff member who cares about that child and their interests,” he says. “You will find family here in whatever pocket you have interest in. Everyone will accept and embrace you for who you are.”
One challenge that Wyatt notes is the gap in participation and performance between different demographic groups. An improved school culture and sense of belonging are key factors in closing this gap. One of Wyatt’s goals is eliminating systemic structures that may contribute to the achievement gap.
“I’m not sure if students have felt like they can own their school. Sometimes, they come to school thinking school happens to them, rather than us all doing school together,” Wyatt says. “I’d like our leadership team to focus on what students and staff can do to impact their own experience at school.”
As part of an International Baccalaureate (IB) district, Wyatt says Shaker Heights High School students receive a global-minded education that allows them to understand citizenship and give back to their community. “Attending an IB high school is a cool opportunity to learn in an inquiry-driven classroom setting,” Wyatt says. “The IB way of learning allows you to think critically, problem solve, and challenge yourself in a way that lets you have ownership of your education but do it in a way to think bigger.”
Shaunna Bonner, chair of the School Counseling Department at Shaker Heights High School, says Wyatt’s dedication to student success is clear. Bonner sat on the interview panel for Wyatt when he applied for the role of assistant principal, and she was impressed with his authenticity.
When Wyatt transitioned to interim principal, he advised Bonner that he would like to work closely with the counseling department. He attends department meetings when there are tough decisions to make and supports the department with complex tasks like scheduling. Bonner also notes Wyatt’s strong communication skills.
“With staff, it’s clear that he listens to understand. He has a way of de-escalating tough conversations. He does a good job of listening, providing direct feedback and keeping people engaged in the conversation,” Bonner says. “With students, he seems real with them. He is willing to be vulnerable and meet them where they are.”
Wyatt says now is a great time to be a student at Shaker Heights High School. The faculty and staff are committed to providing the best educational experience for their students.
“We can create spaces to be vulnerable and learn from each other,” Wyatt says. “Now is the time to be here. Our students will be part of creating something that is long-lasting.”
When Wyatt walks through Shaker Heights High School, it is clear that he knows the students and the students know him. He repeatedly stops to check in with them – asking students how their day is going, what assignment they are working on, and what their weekend plans are. Students who know Wyatt from the Innovative Center are excited to see him and give him updates on their lives. These may sound like small moments, but they are the building blocks for a culture focused on trust and transparency.
Julie Hullett is the communications specialist with the Shaker Heights City School District
