Principal Doug McCreath is saying so long to the Buffalo herd that he has shepherded for two years.

The reason: He is moving on to greener pastures. San Joaquin County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools Mick Founts announced Tuesday that McCreath has been named as the new assistant superintendent of educational services.

McCreath, whose stint at Manteca High included five years as assistant principal, confirmed Wednesday his appointment to the new position at the County Office of Education effective the beginning of July.

“My goal is to do the best I can in whatever position I’m at,” said McCreath whose 20-year tenure with the Manteca Unified School District included teaching math in the elementary level, business classes in high school, and being Dean of Students at East Union High School in addition to seven years of administrative positions at Manteca High.

That has always been his philosophy in every job that he has held, said the San Jose State University alumnus.

When he started his administrative career nine years ago, “I wasn’t clear on what my ultimate career goal was,” he said.

“I just knew that when I started at East Union, I was going to be the best Dean of Students. When I first took on that responsibility, I just wanted to be the best Dean of Students. Then I had the opportunity to come to Manteca High and played the same goal and the same philosophy and worked as hard as I could to be the best assistant principal. Manteca High School is a great place to be. I’ve done the same thing as principal – work hard, make things better and move forward. That’s pretty much my philosophy,” McCreath said.

“With this opportunity (as the assistant superintendent of educational services), I’ll try the same philosophy. I’m going to work hard and be the best I can be and do the best I can for the students,” he added.

Superintendent of Schools Mick Founts said, “San Joaquin County of Education proudly welcomes Doug as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services beginning in July 2011. His past 20 years in education with Manteca Unified School District have been stellar. Doug is caring, innovative educational leader who will make a great addition to our team.”

In his new capacity as assistant superintendent, McCreath will oversee all educational services which include the following: comprehensive health programs, migrant education, teacher development, early childhood education, student events and activities, science and special projects, instructional technology, among others.

“These programs work on both the local and regional level serving San Joaquin County schools and districts, County Office instructional programs, and schools, districts and county offices of education within the Delta-Sierra region,” according to the statement from the county Office of Education released to the news media.

McCreath received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, San Jose. He earned his Master of Education in Educational Management and his administrative credential from University of LaVerne.

He started his teaching career in Manteca Unified as a teacher at Brock Elliott Elementary School, followed by his appointment as the Dean of Students at his high school alma mater, East Union. The Dean of Students title has since been changed to assistant principal.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the many career and educational opportunities provided me by Manteca Unified School District. I look forward to this new opportunity at the San Joaquin Office of Education and continuing to focus on what is truly important to me – student learning,” McCreath said in his official statement from the County Office of Education.

The new assistant superintendent and wife Susie, a first-grade teacher at Woodward Elementary in Manteca, are the parents of four children: Jake, 17, who is a Ripon High junior; Josh, 16, a sophomore also at Ripon High; and twin daughters Madison and Samantha, 12, who attend Ripon’s Weston Elementary. The couple has been married for 20 years.