By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City Schools is elevating one of its own into a high-level administration position.
John Graham, a product of the UC education system and a recent Teacher of the Year at UCHS, has been named as the new vice principal at his high school alma mater.
The 33-year-old Graham has taught for nine years in the Union City School System and has served in a variety of roles, including that of a teacher and a coach at both the middle school and high school levels.
He will take on the UCHS administrative duties of Shane Sisco, who will move into a new position as supervisor of ISS/Alternative School while also serving as athletic director for both the high school and UC Middle School.
The changes will go into effect March 22.
“John is a tried and true Union City Schools guy. He truly bleeds Purple and Gold,” UC High School Principal Jacob Cross said after announcing Graham as his new second-in-command. “I’m looking forward to working alongside him as an administrator and am excited for the many things he brings to the table.
“He’s certainly paid his dues. He’s always been one of the many members of our faculty who has done anything and everything asked of him. He’s eager to learn and he will work every day to make all the good things we have going on at Union City High School even better.”
Graham is a 2006 graduate of Union City High School, where he was a standout football and baseball player, earning induction into the school’s prestigious Hall of Honors in the process. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Bethel University in 2011, graduating with honors. He also received his master’s in education leadership from BU in 2016.
“Even as an undergraduate student, I’ve always had aspirations to move into an administrative role,” Graham said of his new job. “I feel like I’ve grown professionally, and I obviously have desires to continue to do so with this opportunity.
“And I really take a lot of pride that this chance is coming in a system where I spent my formative years. I know what it means to be a Golden Tornado. This is truly a special place to me and my family and I intend on giving it my very best every day in whatever area that is needed as Vice Principal.”
Graham has taught construction trades, computer applications and wellness and has overseen math labs, among his many duties in the UC School System. He’s been the only soccer coach in the nine-year history of the program at the school and has also assisted in football.
He was honored as the UCHS Teacher of the year for 2020 and also selected as part of the class of the Tennessee Educator Fellowship through a competitive process by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE).
“I do believe that having had a diverse classroom with so many different subjects will help me in my new endeavor,” Graham continued. “I believe those situations promote growth. I like to ask questions.
“I intend to take every responsibility of a vice principal seriously. I want to be as effective as I can possibly be for both our faculty and staff, as well as our students.”
Graham and his wife, Jessica, make their home in Union City with their 3-year old son, Hayes.
Sisco will now oversee both the high school and middle school athletic departments in his new responsibilities. In addition to the ISS/AS duties, he’ll continue to serve as head boys’ basketball coach, having just completed his 22nd year in that capacity at UCHS and 27th overall.
“The transitions of Mr. Graham and Coach Sisco will strengthen our school system as a whole,” Director of Schools Wes Kennedy said. “Any and all personnel decisions made at Union City Schools will always be done so with the best interest of all of our stakeholders.”