Terra Nova Principal Tom Minshew stands in his office flanked by two photographs which mean a lot to him. Angelo Zawaydeh, a Terra Nova alumni who perished in Iraq, and a train in San Francisco with the Ferry Building in the background. (Jane Northrop - staff photo)

Tom Minshew, in his first year as principal at Terra Nova High School, described his role as the conductor of an orchestra.

"My job is to make sure everyone is in concert. Everyday we have to move forward," he said.

A 1976 TN graduate, Minshew served in the U.S. Army for three years and worked at Brentwood Market. He attended Skyline College and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and his masters degree in educational administration from San Francisco State University, Minshew knew he wanted to become a history teacher.

But he didn't suspect he'd return to his former high school for his professional career. Hired in 1994, his first job was teaching English and history. After four years teaching and serving as athletic director, then principal Dave Kazakoff asked him to apply for the attendance supervisor job. In 2003 he was named vice principal of administration and two years later the vice principal of guidance.

Behind the administrator's desk, he realized how much he missed teaching history.

"Every day, there is such great energy in the classroom. But I still see the kids. I want to continue to get to know them. That's what I miss," he said.

He looks forward to coming to work every day because he's spending time with what he called a strong staff, fantastic students and supportive parents. Three foundations - the educational support team, the band boosters and the sports boosters - do what they can to augment the educational program.

"I inherited a strong position," he said. "All I have to do is give them guidance and support them. Staff shares my vision for students in every way. Everybody is making the school great because they are interested in the school. All the passionate people want the same thing - to see our programs succeed. That's what makes Terra Nova such a great place to work."

His goals this first year have been met, he said. Under his watch, student achievement improved, more special education students received direct instruction and an after school tutoring program in algebra and English was launched with a site council grant for remedial instruction. More extra curricular programs have begun. A new student newspaper, the "Terra Nova Times," is published every three weeks. Championship sports teams have been kept on track.

"I support ideas with the clubs. I just want to improve the school as I can. I just want to help out and make their job better," he said.

A "life schools" class for severally handicapped students is going strong at Terra Nova, another element that makes Minshew proud. Those students are in charge of school recycling. They play and compete in basketball and bowling. They engage in many activities with the mainstream students and have a club - the Best Buddies Club - that provides structure to their frequent get-togethers.

When funding was available in certain areas, Minshew put it to use.

"Money is tight, but last year we had a lot of funding for fine arts. We got a lot of staff development in all subjects. I'm really happy teachers are receptive to that," he said.

E-scrip funding is hitting an all time high and is funding Smartboards for the math classes, among other projects.

Minshew is seeing Terra Nova through a remodel, as a recent bond measure was passed. The athletic fields are being refurbished now; other upgrades will be made to the school as funding permits. This summer, work will be done on the cafeteria, snack bar, kitchen area and the ceramics, art, drama and music classrooms.

"The remodel is challenging. There will be a new stadium in August for football. Track season was relocated. Soccer season was relocated. Graduation will have to be relocated," he said.

Minshew has deep ties to Pacifica. His dad served many years in local politics and as the mayor. Minshew is married to Diane Fornasier, a longtime Terra Nova teacher who this year is teaching psychology, sociology and advanced placement European history. They met at work and have been married for the last eight years. Four years ago, they moved out of Pacifica to San Francisco where they enjoy walking to the Ferry Building to attend the Saturday morning farmers' market, going out to dinner, ball games and movies. Minshew plays a mean game of cribbage.

In the summer, they take longer vacation trips. This summer, Minshew hopes to take a train trip all the way to Chicago to fulfill one of his other dreams - to lose himself on a long train ride. He's a big train enthusiast. One of his favorite books is "Sunset Limited," a story about the Southern Pacific Railroad and the development of the American West by Richard Orsi. He also recommends "The Associates: Four Capitalists who Created California" by Richard Rayner.

"That's how I relax these days," he said.