READY TO LEAD

Thompson Falls was a familiar name to William Cain, who recently took the position of superintendent for the Thompson Falls School District.

"I remember when I was coaching wrestling we drove through and I saw a bighorn sheep staring down from a rock ledge – I made it a point to remember the name of the town because it seemed like a great place." He said he checked job availability across the state periodically, so when he saw an opening in Thompson Falls it was a no-brainer. Especially since he had to pass up a position in Noxon because it was only a one-year contract.

Since arriving a few short weeks ago, Cain has been making the rounds getting to know the community, campuses and staff with whom he will be working. That outgoing attitude is the driving force behind his approach to administration and school community.

"For me, it's all about culture and good relationships," Cain explained. "Do the kids feel safe and comfortable? Do our teachers feel supported? Do parents feel like they are in the loop? These are the things that are important to me in a district, because if any of those aspects aren't in check, it can cause the rest to be off balance." And while students are the main concern in education excellence, Cain feels that taking good care of the teachers is one of the best ways to ensure student needs are met.

Cain is no stranger to bringing institutions back into balance. When he took the elementary principal job in Michigan's Hartland School District, he was filling the shoes of seven predecessors that had come and gone in the space of three years. Staff was in disarray; unhappy parents had more day-to-day control than the administration, and students were not getting what they needed in the aftermath. It wouldn't be the last time he would take on a job in which the top priority was making sense out of chaos and reigning in different parties involved. Creating a friendly work environment, redirecting parents to their role and responsibilities as parents of students and establishing a campus community where everyone felt heard became a start-the-day-off-right coping mechanism and a skill on his resume.

"I'm the guy that would rather hear someone's complaint or concern right away, rather than have someone get more frustrated as a problem festers," shared Cain. He said administration shouldn't be unreachable and finding an ear for solutions shouldn't be complicated. One shouldn't be surprised if a visit to his office greets you with a sign on the door reading: "Let's Talk."

During his time since graduating from the University of Montana in 1986, Cain gained a reputation as a sort of "fixer" in the Hartland district. He took on an athletic director job that was rife with politics and personnel strife. He did note that the general feel of the Falls district is a very far cry from the storms of chaos he's accustomed to when taking on a new position.

"It is really a breath of fresh air," Cain said.

His past position with the Hartland district's alternative school gave him insight into student life that he feels is unique and useful in his position.

"I'd guess 90 percent of students just roll with their years in the school system and get through fairly unscathed," he said. "But that other 10 percent, whether because of past trauma or a sense they don't belong, aren't 'messed up' or 'bad,' they just need a different path. And it is our job as staff to help them find that path to their individual success." Cain believes that "there is somebody for everybody. And, no matter your position in the district, you have an effect and responsibility to every student. Whether as a counselor, a coach, or even while on bus duty, we touch their lives somehow and we need to be conscious of how that interaction will be received and processed by the individual student."

For Cain, a small part of that impact on students from the usually far away tower of administration begins with his collection of SpongeBob SquarePants neck ties. Wearing his wacky cartoon tie served as an icebreaker during his visit with students and parents at summer school who were meeting him for the first time. Since he doesn't wear them every day, those jovial accessories might be a good sign for staff needing to broach a touchy concern.

Cain said his summer journey to the present has been a delight. "From the time I heard I got the job, I felt energized. I felt like a 22-year-old driving over in my jeep with the top down. I was so excited," Cain said. He added that living in a house facing the reservoir, enjoying a daily meal at Minnie's, and getting to know residents at the bank, the grocery store, post office and other domestic errands keeps the experience positive. "A lot of people have just dropped into the office to say 'hi' and introduce themselves, and I really appreciate that. It is great to be here and I'm looking forward to the upcoming school year."