Suzanne Chin, previous Assistant Principal for Solon Middle School, is now Solon High School’s new Assistant Principal, in charge of grades nine and 11. Below, get to know her and her life outside of school.

Q: What is your hometown?

A: Solon, Ohio.

Q: What is your alma mater?

A: Solon High School and The University of Toledo.

Q: What made you want to work in education?

A: I just really enjoyed my teachers growing up. I started as a physical education health teacher, so I always wanted to do sports. I played sports growing up. I thought my passion for sports was how I was going to help other kids.

Q: What was your previous job before coming to the SHS?

A: I was at Solon Middle School for four years, and then I was at Mentor for eight years before that, so I was a principal for the last 12 [years].

Q: And what is your favorite part of your job?

A: I love interacting with the students. You guys, I mean really, you guys are awesome. It’s fun being at the high school and seeing [students’] passions because I had most of you guys at middle school. You’re gonna be gone next year. Like that’s crazy to think of and six years ago, you’re sitting in the auditorium at the middle school and us saying you’re halfway done. And now, you’re done. It’s like reality kicks in, right? That’s what I like is that you can have those real conversations. What’s your next step in life, what do you need to do, and how can we help and support to get you there?

Q: What are some of your hobbies outside of school?

A: Most of my time is spent taking my kids to practices and helping them do whatever they need to do. But I love sports. I love working out– just being active.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

A: I hope still in Solon doing something in the district and community. I love being in the community that I live in because I get to see kids inside and outside of school. It’s fun seeing kids at job sites and working and really being passionate about what they want to be passionate in.

Q: What music do you listen to?

A: My car ride [is] only about two minutes, so whatever’s on the radio. Recently, it’s been commercials. I like country [music]. My kids listen to Taylor Swift right now. I don’t really get much control over the radio in the car, so Taylor Swift has been a big one lately. I just like listening. I don’t have a go-to album or anything.

Q: What was your favorite subject in high school?

A: I really liked the PE classes hence being active and doing that. We had photography. When I was here, we did film and we had a dark room. I thought it was a cool experience because when I was younger, you just handed in your cameras and the film was produced. So being able to do that was cool.

Q: What is the best place you’ve ever vacationed?

A: Last summer we went to Belize. It was pretty cool being in a rainforest and seeing some of the Mayan ruins, so I would say Belize or Alaska.

Q: What is something you think is special about Solon High School?

A: I think the staff really makes it. They really care about kids, and they’re really passionate in what they do, which you don’t see everywhere.

Q: And if you didn’t work in education, what field would you work in?

A: I think it would be some type of sports management and or for a professional organization. I think it would be really cool to work in something like the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) behind the scenes.

Q: What’s your favorite food?

A: Sushi. I like the spicy tuna or spicy salmon with the crunchies on top.

Q: Do you have any advice for people wanting to go into education?

A: It’s really a great field because of the aha moments that kids have, and that could be at any level. Aha, I sounded out cat at the elementary level. Or, aha, I know what I want to do with my career. I think seeing those moments are very special for people and it’s hard to describe until you have that first kid have their aha moment. It’s really just a special thing to watch kids grow. If you’re into having kids grow and watching them and being better people, I think it’s just a great way to influence. I always joked like I’m going to influence the next generation. And I feel like that’s what education is, putting our imprint on kids and helping them get to where they need to be.

Q: And do you have a favorite memory from high school?

A: We made senior shirts back then that were different. They were tie dyed with S’s, but we painted inside jokes from your entire high school career. They had puffy paint and had hundreds of lines all around [the] shirts, it would take all summer [to make]. You’d go three hours to a friend’s house, do a chunk of your shirt, and then the next weekend, you’d go somewhere else and do a chunk of your shirt. It was the summer leading up to senior year. It was just exciting. It was cool. It was crazy. But it was fun. I like that you got to be with all your friends the whole time. It made you think of people you don’t hang out with your senior year, but you talked with your freshman and sophomore year. You’re like: “oh my gosh, I remember that.” And then you put it on your shirt. It took a lot of time, you started it the day you got out of junior year and you were hoping your shirt was dry for the first day of school. You only do little at a time. I love that you guys still have the shirts and you still have the same tradition. It was fun coming back and seeing you guys on the first day.