By Blair Donald

Round Table editor

Middletown High School Assistant Principal Michael Watson sat down and talked to Round Table Media about his job and the responsibilities that come with being a high school administrator. He answered questions about his relationship with students, his job, his family, and his personal goals.

What did you teach before becoming a vice principal?

I taught science at Linganore Middle School.

Why did you decide to go into administration rather then teaching?

I think it was mainly because I wanted to be more involved in the classroom and help teachers improve their craft; also I wanted to be able to rally for students who typically struggle and who needed someone fighting for them in their corner.

How does being a vice principal compare to being a teacher?

There aren’t a whole lot of similarities, the major comparison is I get to work with students but I don’t get to build relationships on a daily basis. The reality is a teacher has the biggest impact on students, and I lose a little bit of that. I still get to develop a relationship with the struggling students and that’s the best part.

What would you change about your job?

The hours, some days are very long depending on extracurricular activities.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working with the students and teachers.

What is the hardest part about being an administrator?

Probably balancing all the different responsibilities I have in addition to my family and my personal goals.

When did you decide to become a teacher?

My Grandmother was a teacher and my Aunt was a teacher; my Grandmother ran her own Montessori school in Texas and when I was young I would help out there, it was always around me but I don’t think I really decided until after graduation. By college I knew what I wanted to do.

What would you do if you weren’t a vice principal?

I’d still be teaching, or a professional tri-athlete.

What do you usually have to do as a vice principal?

My biggest concern is handling discipline and observing and evaluating staff. I’m the testing coordinator so I have to deal with things like HSA’s.

Of all the schools you’ve worked at, which has been your favorite?

Middletown High School and Urbana Middle School, it all has to do with staff and students and those places had great staff, great students, and a great community to work in.