Hat High principal retires after decades in education

“You meet kids and you meet families and you work with teachers and you just enjoy those moments. It doesn’t feel like work it just feels like a fun hobby and 32 years just went like that,” he said.

Grisonich started his career at Hat High in January of 1989 as a chemistry teacher.

And he has loved every minute of the job.

“If you would have told me I would be in one building my whole career I never would have believed it and I have no regrets.”

One of his fond memories is coaching basketball and seeing the hard work his team put in.

Hat High had a very successful run. They went to provincials 13 straight years, won a couple of titles, and some silvers.

“When I started our school had never won a 4A South Zone Championship,” Grisonich said. “And I thought we never would, people told me you won’t. So in my third year, we won Zones, and then we went eight straight years of winning that Zone title. We lots the next year then won the ninth one.”

Teaching is another highlight for Grisonich.

His interactions with students are meaningful, and he credits his staff and admin team who love and care about the kids.

He has also attended every graduation for 32 years and saw over 10,000 students cross the stage.

Hat High’s modernization project, which included $7-million in fundraising also stands out to him.

“People often say is it the building that makes Hat High? And the one thing that I think is tremendously true before we had the new building, Hat High was still a tremendous place and it’s always been about the people,” he explained.

Passion, support, and caring about students and staff are how some of his colleagues and close friends describe Grisonich.

He’s worked with many of them for years and has helped grow careers.

Hat High’s athletic director Chad Watson says Grisonich is a mentor and role model. They worked together since 2007.

“It’s pretty emotional for me definitely because you have people who you look up to and are your heroes, so he really is one of mine,” Watson told Chat News.

Watson adds that a five-minute conversation about zone defense becomes an hour-long conversation. They’ve spent countless hours talking about basketball, teaching, and life.

Hat High’s Phys. Ed. Department head Quinn Skelton, has worked with Grisonich since 1990 and has enjoyed the ride together over the years.

“It’s been fun, prior to administration, it was a great time as colleagues that way and support as an administrator it’s definitely a benefit in my mind,” Skelton said.

Vice Principal Dean Brown will begin his role as Hat High’s principal in September.

Brown is excited to carry on with what Grisonich started.

“He’s the first guy here in the morning most days and he can be found at football games, basketball games, drama, all the fine arts. He’s involved in everything,” Brown added.

MHPSD’s superintendent Mark Davidson says Grisonich is invested in Hat High and the people.

“If you’re in it this long and you love the people you work with, and the kids, and you care and you bring all your heart to work, you leave a legacy that will last long after you’ve moved on,” Davidson explained.

Grisonich or ‘Griz’ also has mentors in his life.

He credits those who have helped him along the way, including his parents who have now passed, and his two brothers who were also educators and principals in the city.

“If you treat this job as part of your life, or you have a second family and you’re engaged with kids, and engaged with the staff and the community, it’s going to be so rewarding and you’re going to love what you do,” Grisonich added.

by Chantal Wagner

Hat High principal retires after decades in education

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