Longtime Educator Pauline Anna Shirk Dies at 86

Shirk was a pioneering administrator at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center and Jackson Career Center before retiring in 1998.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Pauline 'Paula' Anna Shirk, a longtime educator and administrator in Michigan, passed away on February 12, 2026, at the age of 86. Shirk had a distinguished career in vocational education, serving as one of the original educators at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center when it opened in 1970 and later becoming the Director of the Jackson Career Center and Assistant Superintendent at the Jackson ISD before retiring in 1998.

Why it matters

Shirk's career highlights the important role vocational and technical education has played in Michigan, especially as the state's manufacturing and industrial base evolved over the decades. As an administrator, Shirk helped shape the direction of vocational training programs that prepared students for in-demand careers.

The details

After graduating from Duquesne University with a B.A. in Education in 1961, Shirk taught for a year in Pennsylvania before becoming a flight attendant with United Airlines. It was during her time as a flight attendant that she met her future husband, Robert 'Bob' Shirk. The couple married in 1964 and settled in Adrian, Michigan in 1967, where Bob managed a local W.T. Grant store and later opened a men's clothing store. Paula Shirk returned to education, becoming one of the original educators at the newly opened Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center in 1970. She moved into administration in 1971 and earned her M.A. in Education from Eastern Michigan University the following year. Shirk later earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration from the University of Michigan in 1982 and went on to serve as the Director of the Jackson Career Center and Assistant Superintendent at the Jackson ISD before retiring in 1998.

  • Pauline 'Paula' Anna Shirk was born on October 23, 1939 in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania.
  • Shirk graduated from Duquesne University in 1961 with a B.A. in Education.
  • Shirk and her husband Robert 'Bob' Shirk married on June 27, 1964 in Pittsburgh.
  • The Shirks settled in Adrian, Michigan in 1967.
  • Shirk became one of the original educators at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center when it opened in 1970.

The players

Pauline 'Paula' Anna Shirk

An educator and administrator who had a distinguished career in vocational education in Michigan, serving as one of the original educators at the Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center and later as the Director of the Jackson Career Center and Assistant Superintendent at the Jackson ISD before retiring in 1998.

Robert 'Bob' Shirk

Pauline Shirk's husband, who managed a local W.T. Grant store in Adrian, Michigan and later opened a men's clothing store in the Adrian Mall.

Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center

A vocational and technical education center in Michigan where Pauline Shirk was one of the original educators when it opened in 1970.

Jackson Career Center

The career center in Jackson, Michigan where Pauline Shirk served as the Director before becoming Assistant Superintendent at the Jackson ISD.

Jackson ISD

The school district in Jackson, Michigan where Pauline Shirk served as Assistant Superintendent before retiring in 1998.

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The takeaway

Pauline Shirk's career highlights the important role vocational and technical education has played in Michigan, as the state's economy evolved over the decades. As an administrator, she helped shape the direction of vocational training programs that prepared students for in-demand careers.