A first-generation college graduate, a public school student since kindergarten and a father of three, Terry Eugene Flora recently joined the SCHS staff as the Vice Principal of Attendance, Technology and Discipline.

Flora spent his academic career in the Santa Clara Unified School District, attending Sutter Elementary School, Buchser Middle School and SCHS.

“In the back of my mind, I always thought it would be pretty awesome to be able to work at my own high school and serve my own community,” Flora said. “The opportunity presented itself this year, and I was lucky enough to get it.”

After graduating from SCHS in 1999, Flora attended De Anza College for three years and then transferred to San Diego State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social science.

While at SDSU, Flora spent two semesters onboard a ship travelling to Australia, Asia and South America as part of the program Semester at Sea.

“I went all around the world, saw a lot of different places and had great adventures,”  Flora said. “I learned a lot about world culture and… historical sights. It was an adventure of a lifetime, and I was able to bring a lot of the lessons I learned back home.”

One of the most memorable places Flora travelled to was a school in Fiji, where he interacted with the children. Additionally, Flora toured several great schools.

After finishing Semester at Sea, Flora attended San Jose State University to complete his master’s and doctorate degrees while working full time as a school administrator.

At SCHS, Flora is still “loving the environment of learning.” His job here is to communicate between students, parents and teachers to ensure the students are successful.

“I’m excited to be here,” Flora said. “I encourage students to come by and say hello and get to know me.”

As a first-generation college student, Flora had to pursue his dream on his own, which is why he “admires anybody who had to overcome obstacles to achieve their goals and anyone who works hard.”

Besides being the vice principal of a high school, Flora is also a father of three, and he puts his family above all else.

“Being a father is the most important thing to me, and it’s the best part of my life so far,” Flora said.

Flora loves to spend his free time with his children and aspires to travel with his family in the future.

“I want to travel through Europe with my kids, and I tell myself, hopefully, one day when I’m older, I can cross the U.S. with my grandkids if I’m lucky enough,” Flora said.

With many different adventures coming up in his future, Flora said he will stay his passionate and caring self in whatever comes up next.

“For my job and everything I do, I care for others,” Flora said. “I wake up every morning excited to come to work with students and teachers.”