Mr. Mike Souma has spent his entire life learning or working with students. Now, after over 26 years as an educator and administrator, he’ll be taking on a new challenge at the School Board Office with an appointment to a new position of Chronic Absenteeism Specialist.
Mr. Souma graduated from William Fleming High School with the Class of 1994. He moved on to receive his Bachelor of Arts from Ferrum College in 1998, then his Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction in 2012 from Radford University. Four years later, he earned his Master’s in Education in Educational Leadership, also from Radford University, in 2018.
He began his career in education as a para professional at William Fleming High School in 1998. Between 1998 and 2000 he served in that position, as well as an assistant football coach, head wrestling coach, and assistant baseball coach.
He moved to Patrick County High School. From 2000 to 2012 he served as a social studies and physical education teacher, assistant football coach, assistant baseball coach, and assistant wrestling coach. He eventually served as the head wrestling coach and head football coach.
In 2012 he returned to William Fleming High School as a social studies teacher, assistant football coach and head baseball coach.
In 2013, Mr. Souma arrived in Pulaski County. He began his time here as a social studies teacher at Pulaski County High School and an assistant football coach. He remained at PCHS until leaving at the end of 2019 to take an assistant principal position at Scott Memorial Middle School in Wytheville. He served in that position from 2019-2021. From there, he served as the principal at Fort Chiswell High School from 2021-2023.
During the 2023-24 school year, he has served as an assistant principal at Pulaski County Middle School.
In his newest posting as a Chronic Absenteeism Specialist, he will work with students, families, and the schools throughout the county to help solve issues that lead to students missing school on a repetitive basis.
“I am looking forward to working in Student Services for the upcoming school year,” Mr. Souma said. “I look forward to working with all K-12 students to have a successful year in Pulaski County Public Schools.”
Mr. Souma is married Dr. Roxanne Souma, who also works for the school system and will be taking a position as an assistant principal at PCHS this year. They have two children, Roland, 12, and Margaux, five.
Mr. Souma is set to assume his new position August 1, 2024.