Tyrone Area School District welcomed a Class of 2005 Tyrone Alum back to TAHS this fall.  Derrick Soellner is the new business education teacher in the high school.

After high school, Soellner attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in professional golf management.  Soellner also has a master’s degree in business administration and organizational leadership.

Soellner brings a lot of experience in the business world to his students at Tyrone. He worked in restaurant management and higher education before coming to Tyrone as a business teacher.

“I really wanted a professional position in a local golf association,,” said Soellner, “but I realized getting a job like that would require a lot of time away from home. I [then] spent my time trying to position myself to own my own Chick-Fil-A.”

Before coming to Tyrone, Soellner worked as the Director of Operations at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Lumberton, North Carolina. He was also a director in the Center for Student Success at his alma mater, Methodist University.

But when he saw the position for a business teacher open up at Tyrone, Soellner jumped at the opportunity to return to his hometown and share his experience with new generations of Tyrone students.

Soellner teaches a variety of business education classes including workplace readiness, Introduction to programming and computer science, essential workplace skills, and dual enrollment introduction to business. He is taking over for former business teacher Amanda Litzinger, who left the district at the end of last school year.

In his spare time, Soellner is a high school baseball, football, and basketball official.

“I really enjoy being able to be a positive role model for the student-athletes,” said Soellner.

He has officiated three state championship games, two football, and one baseball. Soellner has even officiated games at the collegiate level.

Some of Soellner’s hobbies include golfing, hunting, camping, and hanging out with his wife and kids.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with all of my students and watch them learn and grow. I love to hear students’ stories and learn about their interests,” said Soellner.