Henry “Shake” Washington is a proud Tampa native and a product of the Hillsborough County School Systems. As a student, he began his education at Meacham Elementary School, continued through B.T. Washington Junior High School, and finally graduated from the original Middleton High School. While at Middleton he was a student-athlete participating in football, basketball, track, and baseball.

Mr. Washington’s college career was aided by a football scholarship from Kentucky State University. College years were interrupted by active service with the U.S. Army. He later graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Southwest Louisiana. His choice of a career in education was the result of personal firsthand observation of the positive effects of leadership, teamwork, and dedication that can be gained from a combination of academics and athletics. Later, he earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

His professional career as an educator ran in parallel with continued service in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Florida National Guard, where he served in various maintenance, signal, and engineering units – eventually retiring from military service as a 1st Sergeant after 22 years.

Mr. Washington’s 42-year career with the Hillsborough County School System began as an assistant teacher at B.T. Washington Elementary School – the same school that he attended as a student.  He continued as a teacher/coach at Turkey Creek Junior High School and King High School. During those years, he was honored to be selected as Coach of the Year. He moved from the classroom to school administration as an Assistant Principal at McLane Junior High School, Chamberlain High School, and Brandon High School, then returned to Chamberlain when as principal for five years, where he was also recognized as Principal of the Year.

He returned to his roots with an appointment as the first principal of the new Middleton High School, from there he went on to begin appointments as an Area Director and finally Area Superintendent.

Today, Mr. Washington serves as a Hillsborough County School Board Member representing District 5. His community involvement has included many years of service to the community through his church youth mentoring program.  He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the NAACP, 100 Black Men, the Urban League of Hillsborough County, American Legion Post 167, and the Legends Club of former athletes and coaches.

Mr. Washington’s greatest joy has been his marriage to Ms. Cheryl B. Washington, his wife of 42 years.  They are the proud parents of Henry Washington, Jr. (husband of Ivy), and JaMia Washington (wife of Michael), both successful products of Hillsborough County Schools and grandparents to four wonderful grandchildren: Zoi, Destini, Zion, and Skye.

Henry “Shake” Washington is an asset and a Community Champion. He was nominated as a City of Tampa Black History Committee Community Honoree of Distinction because of his dynamic story of perseverance and for being an stellar example of what it means to value education and practice quality caring leadership.