Writing his “Friday Focus” memo to his faculty each week, for his faculty’s professional growth, Principal Michael Hobin highlights excerpts from his own reading of current educational best practices. He also recognizes one or more teachers who have made an exceptional difference in student learning that week. This positive acknowledgement and professional leadership have served to build strong relationships within this large high school.
So, too, Mr. Hobin works consistently to provide opportunities for faculty and staff to become leaders within the school. By encouraging everyone to gain as much professional development training as possible and by permitting risk-taking, Mr. Hobin has promoted an environment of collegiality, professional networking, innovation, and collaboration.
Principal Hobin’s leadership team consists not only of other administrators and department chairs, but also includes union representatives and support personnel. The School Improvement Team membership includes faculty, staff, students, parents, and community members. Thus, the entire Coventry High School community is actively engaged in promoting improvements in teaching and learning at the school.
Under Mr. Hobin’s skillful leadership, the school has adopted common assessments fully calibrated and aligned to learner expectations. The result has been a culture of accountability for teachers and fairness and equity for students. So, too, Mr. Hobin has demonstrated excellent leadership in regards to personalizing the school environment, making sure that all students are aware of graduation requirements, and differentiating support for students as needed to insure their success. Students, parents, and faculty all note that Mr. Hobin personally places each graduate’s capstone/portfolio completion star in the students’ graduation program booklets.
Students and parents laud Mr. Hobin as a fully digital principal. Not only does he communicate regularly via listserv and individual emails, but he also “tweets” daily about the full spectrum of learning experiences at Coventry High School. Whether “tweeting” a photo of a science or language lab, the schedule of sporting events for the day, or recognizing an outstanding achievement of a particular student, class, team, or faculty member, Mr. Hobin keeps the Coventry High School community completely up-to-date on school news. Mr. Hobin also has held “Oaker Chats” on twitter in which he has dedicated an hour of his time in the evening to “hear” students’ feedback and suggestions on Coventry High School.
Students and parents also go out of their way to praise Mr. Hobin for the personal notes he sends them. Though he leads a school of over 1600 students, Mr. Hobin regularly makes the time to send hand written postcards of thanks or congratulations to parents and students. These “cherished” missives provide evidence of his efforts to personalize the high school experience for students.
Teachers also “sing” Principal Hobin’s praises. As one teacher stated, “Mike Hobin is an inspirational principal mentoring and motivating over two hundred faculty and staff members. He has shaped our efforts to align curriculum to Common Core Standards, to improve NECAP scores, to meet RtI requirements, and to address the rigorous demands of the new educator evaluation system.” Other teachers described Mr. Hobin as visible, confident, dedicated, personable, and proactive. Additional descriptors include: committed, organized, supportive, caring, and compassionate.
While one teacher shared that Mr. Hobin’s “commitment to CHS has led every person in the building to be more committed,” another asserted that Mr. Hobin is the “hardest worker in the building, and he sets a strong example for both students and faculty.” Another CHS administrator said, “It is not often you find someone who makes you want to dig deeper, work harder, and learn more. Mr. Hobin truly inspires leadership.”
In addition to echoing others’ descriptions of Mr. Hobin, other administrators in the district note that they respect his ability to share ideas. They note that he has created protocols for his own faculty and staff which have become exemplars throughout the district. They commend his “book talks” with his faculty and highlight his skill in developing others as leaders. They share that he asks good questions and always makes time to participate in district wide discussions.
Superintendent Almeida stated that Mr. Hobin’s communication with parents and students is exceptional. “He is passionate about learning, focuses on student achievement, and values relationships.” Dr. Almeida goes on to note that the central office and school-based administrators value Mr. Hobin’s professional advice and abilities. They consider Mr. Hobin the “unofficial” lead principal of Coventry Public Schools.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Rhode Island College in 1991 and a Master of Education from RIC in 1993, Mr. Hobin went on to earn a Master of Education in Administration from Providence College in 1998. After teaching health and science at the middle school and high school for over a decade, Mr. Hobin served as Assistant Principal of Coventry High School from 2002-2006. He began his tenure as principal in the fall of 2006.
Mr. Hobin is clearly worthy of RIASP’s recognition as 2013 RI High School Principal of the Year. The RIASP High School Principal of the Year award program is conducted in conjunction with the NASSP/MetLife National Principal of the Year Program. In addition to being recognized by RIASP at an award ceremony on May 29th, Mr. Hobin will be honored at the MetLife and NASSP State Principals of the Year Principal’s Institute and Awards Banquet in the fall in Washington, DC.