There’s a new principal guiding the pupils at Ocean Studies Charter School in Key Largo.
Jon Shoffstall has spent more than two decades in education. For the first 10 years, he was a physical education teacher. He spent time coaching sports, seven of those years with high school varsity boys soccer.
For the last 10 years, Shoffstall has been an assistant principal and principal. He was principal for four years at Wren High School in Anderson, South Carolina and principal at Dubai American Academy in the United Arab Emirates.
Shoffstall and his wife, Rebecca, moved to the Keys in July. He said they have visited the Keys on multiple occasions and always thought it was somewhere they could live their best lives.
“What excites me most about being the principal of Ocean Studies is the unique opportunity to lead a school where learning is truly connected to the real world,” he said. “The daily field labs give students hands-on experiences that make science come alive and show them how their learning matters beyond the classroom. That kind of learning, active, relevant and grounded in the environment, is what education should be.”
When were you chosen by the board for the job? How did that process work? The principal position at Ocean Studies was incredibly sought after, and I feel truly fortunate to have been selected. This was a global search with a highly competitive pool of applicants, so being chosen is something I don’t take lightly.
I was officially offered the position in May, following a multistep interview process. After an initial round of virtual interviews, I was invited for an on-site visit to the school. That visit was a highlight for me as I had the chance to meet students, tour the campus and sit down with several members of the board. It gave me a real sense of the heart and mission of Ocean Studies and only deepened my desire to be a part of it.
What are your impressions so far of the Keys community? I’ve been incredibly impressed with the warmth and involvement of the Keys community. The level of parent engagement is inspiring as it’s clear that families are deeply invested in their children’s education and in the success of the school as a whole.
What stands out most at Ocean Studies is the excitement students bring with them each day. You can feel the positive energy the moment you walk onto campus. Students are happy to be here, and that speaks volumes about the school culture.
Do you have any plans thus far? My current plan is to take the time to really learn about our students, our staff, our school and the wider community. Ocean Studies is already an incredible place, and I want to honor that by listening, observing, and understanding what makes it so special.
From there, I’m excited to work collaboratively with everyone including students, families, teachers and community members to build on the great foundation that’s already here. Together, we can enhance what’s working, explore new ideas, and continue to grow a school that’s as inspiring and unique as the people in it.
What motivates you to work in education? As someone who is student-centered and values real life experiences, what motivates me to work in education is the chance to make learning meaningful and relevant. I believe students learn best when they can connect what they’re learning to their own lives and experiences.
I’m driven by the opportunity to help students grow not just academically, but as confident thinkers and problem-solvers. When students see that their voices matter and that their experiences have value, learning becomes powerful.
Education should prepare students for life, not just tests and that’s the kind of impact I want to make.
What do you hope to accomplish as principal? As principal, I hope to create a school environment where every student is truly seen, heard and valued as an individual, not just as part of a system. I want students to feel a genuine sense of belonging and to know that their voice matters.
I want our students to be dreamers and to feel supported in chasing those dreams. Whether their goals are academic, creative, environmental or something entirely unique, I believe it’s our role to help them believe in themselves and explore what’s possible.
