Kirk is a Triple Dawg, earning three degrees from the University of Georgia—a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Public Administration in Policy Analysis, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Prior to that, he earned his Associate of Science in Education from Young Harris College. He also holds a certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia, an Executive Education Certificate in Public Leadership from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and is a Certified Public Manager® through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Leadership Institute.

Dr. Shook serves as Vice Chairman of the Oconee County Board of Elections, Club Administration Chair for the Rotary Club of Oconee County, and treasurer of his homeowner’s association. He also serves on the Policy Committee of the Madison Athens-Clarke Oconee Regional Transportation Study (MACORTS), the Board of Directors of Athens-Oconee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs Alumni Board of Directors. He is a Class Coordinator for the Young Harris College Alumni Board and is in the 1886 Society at Young Harris College. Kirk is an active member of the Touchdown Club of Athens and he volunteers with the United Way of Northeast Georgia. He also serves as a student mentor through the UGA Alumni Association and through the UGA Master of Public Administration Mentor Program

Kirk and his wife, Miriam, have two beautiful girls, who they adopted from foster care in 2025. The four of them live in Bogart with their dogs, Lucy and Libby. Miriam is an Instructional Technology Specialist in Oconee County Schools. They are boosters of University of Georgia athletics, holding season tickets for football, men’s basketball, and gymnastics. They enjoy going to concerts, working in their church, hiking, playing with their puppies, and going on adventures with their children. They are members of Oconee Fellowship (PCA) in Watkinsville.