New principal hopes to inspire love of learning




FAMILIAR FACE, NEW ROLE—Shirleen Oplustic is principal at the High School at Moorpark College. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

FAMILIAR FACE, NEW ROLE—Shirleen Oplustic is principal at the High School at Moorpark College. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Shirleen Oplustic has been a teacher and administrator for the past 20 years. Though she has a lot of experience with K-8, she’s never worked with high school students.

But that’s changed. Oplustic is the new principal at the High School at Moorpark College.

“My why is the students,” said Oplustic, a Moorpark resident. “My why is giving a student an opportunity for an education, and that to me is the biggest why of all.”

While majoring in history at UCLA, Oplustic became interested in teaching after a volunteer opportunity.

“I really enjoyed seeing the light bulb go off when they understood something—the joy they get when you are helping them discover new ideas,” she said.

Although she initially planned to pursue her interest in history, she said as a first-generation college student, education has always been an important part of her life.

“I firmly believe that education is the path to success and the path to becoming a productive citizen,” Oplustic said. “I wanted to be involved in making that happen for as many students as possible.”

After graduating from Purdue University with a master’s degree in learning, design, and technology, and then USC with a doctorate in leadership and organizational change, Oplustic began teaching in Southern California classrooms.

In addition to teaching K-8 students, she also was a special assignment teacher and a dean of students. Most recently, she served as principal of Chaparral Middle School for the past two years.

The 58-year-old educator, who began working at the High School at Moorpark College in August, said she has been amazed by how welcoming everyone is.

“I was very honored that (Moorpark Unified Superintendent Kelli Hays) chose me and put this wonderful school in my hands,” Oplustic said of the community college dual enrollment program. “HSMC is a unique place that you can’t find pretty much anywhere else.”

So far, she most appreciates the ambition of the students.

“My favorite thing about my current role is definitely the kids,” said Oplustic, a wife and mother of two grown children. “They are independent, curious, and driven, and they love learning.”

Although adjusting to the high school environment has come with its challenges—such as administering practice SAT tests for the first time—Oplustic said working with older students has been especially rewarding. She loves hearing them talk about what colleges they want to go to and what careers they want to pursue.

“ Middle school kids are trying to find themselves; high school kids are going in a direction,” she said. “It’s fun to see where their interest is, where their goals are, and then find a way to help reach them.”

Through her new role, she hopes she is able to positively influence a larger number of students, helping them not only earn their diplomas and associate degrees but also become educated citizens.

“I hope I impact them by bringing them a love of learning,” she said.