VCMS Principal Has Been Busy "Refining"

Sometimes the uncertainties of something new can bring anxiety or challenges, but Vernon Center Middle School Principal Michael Cain explained that his first six months on the job have been anything but that because of all the work done by others before he took over the leadership role at the school.

Cain joined the Vernon School District in July 2011. He applied for the job in Vernon because of its investment in the Positive Behavior Intervention Support  system, his past experience at the middle school level, and his collaborative leadership style – all of which were qualities and characteristics being sought in the advertisement of the position, according to Cain.

Cain already totes the accolades of the people he works with at VCMS. He said he is grateful for what was already in place at the school that houses sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and looks forward to working together as a team.

“This is a wonderful place to be,” Cain said. “The staff is outstanding – everyday work ethic and attitude in helping each other. Assistant principals are good individuals and hard workers. The entire staff has done a tremendous job.”

Cain and the staff have taken on the task of rewriting the schools mission statement. Currently the school's mission is, “The faculty, staff, and administration of the Vernon Center Middle School are committed to providing an atmosphere and program that offer students sound academic, social, artistic, and emotional growth and transition from elementary school to high school. We are devoted to helping every student achieve his/her maximum individual potential, recognizing that this goal requires the collective best efforts of the staff, the student, the parents, and the community at large. We encourage students to cultivate a respect for themselves and others and to make positive personal choices and decisions.”

Cain and the faculty are still refining it, but he expects the new statement to be revealed sometime in February.

“We want the students not only to receive academics while they are here, but to be happy while they are in school,” Cain said. “We want them to have pride in themselves and feel good about what they are doing in school.”

One of the things Cain hopes to accomplish is to teach students ownership of the school they attend. Cain pointed out this is already occurring particularly when volunteers are needed to do anything in the school.

“We make a morning announcement and students just come and sign up without being assigned or recommended,” Cain said. “This is their school. We want students to have a sense of belonging, ownership, to be cared for and cared about. We want to channel energy and continue to have our students be receptive. This school belongs to our students too. We want them to have a sense of belonging. We are a community.”

Cain is impressed with the way the fine arts, technology, and sports have been “nurtured” at VCMS. He looks forward to keeping programs in these areas because often these are areas where students find talents and unify.

“I have inherited a good thing. The community has really supported these areas and I want to continue to do that,” Cain said. “These areas allow students to play are larger role in the school community. They encourage engagement and involvement.”

Cain went on to say that middle school is so social and with these programs it gives the school unity.

“We need to maintain these areas because the middle school is such a close knit community,” Cain said. “The students like to be together. These programs allow for students to be social and build relationships.”

Cain is the father of four children. He has already experienced and realizes that middle school is where many students will seek independence and start to form their own views. But Cain is assuring that VCMS is a good place for students to go through this developmental growth period because of what is offered to students.

“In middle school students begin seeking their independence. It is when parents lose some control and not able to filter as much as they were able to in elementary school,” Cain said. “It is the time to see how the student will respond. They can do that here.”

Cain admits that the school needs to do a better job communicating the good things that are taking place at the middle school level in Vernon. He wants the community and parents to know and understand that what is taking place inside are important for each student that walks through the door.

“We need to help the community and parents understand how we are going to help each child reach their potential,” Cain said.

Cain said he has not added anything at this point, but is working to enhance and expand what is already taking place at VCMS.

“We are refining. I am having the staff examine, what they do for example with instruction and discipline, to see how they are fitting with our mission and the school and district goals,” Cain said. “This year our professional development focus is differentiated instruction.”

As the leader at VCMS, Cain sees himself in various roles from cheerleader to disciplinarian, to teacher. He explained one area he is working on is being a better listener.

“I am learning to listen better. It is important to hear the voice of others. You can’t just predict what others are going to say because you know them. You have to hear them too,” Cain said. “The principal needs to be the leadership servant of the building. I have to be able to help staff and students. I am always the principal but what I am doing changes constantly.”

Cain graduated from Middletown High School. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University, a Master of Science degree from Central Connecticut State University, and his sixth year from UConn. Cain was principal at Kelly Middle School in Norwich before coming to Vernon. Cain also spent time in the Navy as a corpsman before entering education.