Karen Shiver to lead Wewahitchka High School

Karen Shiver, whose involvement with Wewahitchka High School dates back to her own graduation from the institution 37 years ago, has been named its new principal.

She will be assuming the position after Jay Bidwell, who served as the school’s principal for several years, accepted a position as the executive director of Gulf District Schools’ adult school beginning the 2023-24 school year.

“Shiver has served as the principal designee for the past several years,” said Gulf District Schools Superintendent Jim Norton. “Karen was ready to step up. She was already doing much of the job as Bidwell’s assistant (principal).”

“… She knows every aspect of this job.”

Shiver, who served with the United States Army following her graduation from WHS, has been an educator for decades.

After leaving the Army, she got her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Louisville before accepting her first teaching position as a math teacher at Everett Middle School in Panama City.

A few years later, she accepted a teaching position in Wewahitchka, where she has been ever since, earning a masters degree in counseling and eventually becoming a school guidance counselor.

““I love the students, and I know the kids here,” she said. “I went to school with some of their parents. I have a big heart for this school, and I want to just see it get better and better. We’re up to 396 students as of today. That’s pretty awesome…”

Shiver worked closely with Bidwell during her recent years in Wewahitchka, gaining her Ed Leadership certification from the University of West Florida in 2018, and she said she feels prepared to take on the role.

“Mr. Jay left a great springboard for me to keep going forward, and we’re setting our eyes on getting better in every category that we can. And we’re trying to form relationships. Sometimes, it just takes one adult to make a difference in a kid’s life, and I just want all the students to know that they belong here at Wewa High School.”