Of all his tasks at Orcas School, Tom Gobeske’s favorite moment is when he steps into the classroom.

Gobeske is K-8 principal and the director of operations for food service, maintenance, and transportation, but he also teaches fifth grade mathematics.

“The math class is the highlight of my day,” he said. “I just love it. But it’s also two hours that I’m not being a principal. So it’s been a busy year, for sure. I think the teachers and I relate better because I can see things from both levels.”

But his days on Orcas are drawing to a close, and starting this fall, Gobeske will no longer help students solve algebra problems or welcome parents to musical performances. He and his wife Gini, who telecommutes to her off-island job with the Educational Service District, are moving back to their hometown of Bremerton to be closer to their two sons.

“Our experiences here have been just terrific. My reasons for going back are entirely personal,” Gobeske said. “I am going to decide about my future during the summer.”

As an educator in California and then Washington, he wanted a less fast-paced lifestyle and found that here on the island.

“We camped and sailed up here when our kids were young,” he said. “We were drawn to the small community and its beauty.”

During their two years on Orcas, the Gobeskes have grown accustomed to the closeness of a small town.

“Being an active part of the community has been an experience that we haven’t had before,” Tom said. “And the school being such an integral part of the community is also atypical of my past experiences.”

Gini is on the Funhouse board, Tom is a member of the Orcas Historical Museum board, and both have been involved with Orcas Center.

Tom says he was surprised – and delighted – by the number of local partnerships fostered between the school and island organizations.

“Our partnership with the chamber music festival has been unbelievable,” he said. “Now a quarter of our children are involved with strings classes. We have 17 community partnerships total.”

The Gobeskes will be leaving soon, but it may not be forever.

“We will definitely miss the island. Our strong hope is to someday come back,” Tom said.