Shad Storley says he is excited to get back into education after a two-year break. However, he briefly doubted the wisdom at Langford Area School and took over the duties on an interim basis just last week. He will assume the role full-time this summer.
Storley brings with him 28 years of experience in the education industry, first as an elementary teacher, then an elementary principal, then a high school principal, and finally as a superintendent.
The new superintendent and his wife of 31 years, Melissa, also an educator, have spent their entire lives in South Dakota. They are graduates of Roslyn High School and actually began their careers in education as student teachers in the Langford School. From there, they accepted their first positions in Tulare School. Five years later, they were able to bring their family of four closer to home in a move to Britton.
Storley went on to earn his elementary education degree at Northern State University. After teaching for a few years, he returned to NSU for his Masters in Education Administration. Upon completing his masters, Storley began his career in administration in Wagner, SD. But fate intervened, and a resignation in Britton brought the family back as he assumed a principal job.
Years later he returned to the classroom himself, and he earned his Specialist Degree from the University of Sioux Falls. Following their children’s graduations, Storley wanted to put his newly acquired degree to work, and the empty nesters moved to Redfield for five years as superintendent, and then back to Wagner for three.
Storley explained that a lot happened in those three years. This included a serious injury that took a while to recover from and a fire at the school. And then the thing that changed education entirely: COVID. For anyone in education, the pandemic presented huge challenges and Storley said it took a toll on him. “COVID just sucked all the fun out of education,” he emphasized. “I needed a break.”
After years in education, Storley made the difficult decision to leave it to pursue his secondary passion of construction in the lumberyard industry working first at Wagner Building & Supply. Family eventually called the Storleys back north and they moved back up to the Roslyn area earlier this winter. Storley went to work at the Eden Lumberyard.
Shortly after arriving home, he was met with the opportunity to return to education in a way and a place that called to him. Storley says the superintendent position was an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up. He also appreciates that he is finishing a full circle journey by returning to where it all began… Langford School.
He explained that he will be spending about three days per week at the school starting out, in addition to still working at the lumberyard. When asked about what he has on his plate right away, Storley emphasized, “Right now, I want to come in and support the school board, administration and staff.” He added that he will also help prepare for next school year as well as the upcoming budget and legislative concerns.
With his new position as Langford Area Superintendent just getting started, Storley says he is excited to get back into the fray. “Taking a couple of years off has given me a new perspective,” he noted. “This position just feels good. I’m looking forward to working with the district.” He also appreciates the irony of an old Roslyn Viking becoming a Langford Lion.
The Storleys have two adult children, Connor and Morgan. The family of two and their dog Babs currently reside at his wife’s childhood home.
