Unlike most school students, Michael Rodriguez is eagerly counting down the days until the beginning of the next school year.

Rodriguez, 52, is a native of San Antonio, Texas and was recently hired to become the new principal at Old Orchard Beach High School. A soft-spoken man, Rodriguez is passionate about teaching and helping students make the transition from high school into a world that is full of both opportunities and challenges.

Beyond his master’s degree and many years of experience, Rodriguez also brings a somewhat troubling perspective to his new job.

He previously served as the assistant superintendent in the Uvalde, Texas school district. Last year, a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24. It’s not a subject he likes to talk about, but Rodriguez says that tragedy impacted him deeply.

In fact, just days before the shooting, Rodriguez says he was planning to submit his retirement paperwork. After the shooting, he decided that he still wanted to work closely with students and began look for job opportunities in other parts of the country, including Oregon and Maine.

“My wife and I came here on vacation in 2021, and we loved it here,” he said. “We are outdoors people, and we wanted to live somewhere that has four season and a small-town feeling. Old Orchard Beach seemed perfect.”

Rodriguez is a U.S. Army veteran and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas, San Antonio. He and his wife have three daughters.

Throughout your career, you have worked in elementary, middle and high schools. Why did you choose to put off retirement and work at a high school?

“I really like the age of the kids at the high school level. You can have adult conversations with them and play a meaningful and significant role in their lives as they transition to adulthood.”

But there are some unique challenges to working with high school kids.

“Oh absolutely. There are many things impacting their education at that age, from social media issues to personal struggles at home and in the community. It’s our job to get them ready for adulthood. That’s where the fun of the job and the challenges come together.

“You really need to tap into guidance and counseling resources. Kids are not going to be very engaged in Algebra if they’re not eating at home.”

Even by Maine standards, Old Orchard Beach is a relatively small school system. Your experience as an educator has been mostly in larger school districts. Why the change?

“I didn’t want to work in another big school because I feel as if I can have a greater, more meaningful impact on students in a smaller school. Both you and your students are members of the same community. You really get to know the other staff members, the students and their families, and you all share in the common goal of helping these kids to become good citizens.

“During my senior year of high school, we had a class of 56 graduating students. Old Orchard Beach is very similar.”

As principal, what is your primary goal?

“I’ll tell you what I told the hiring committee. I want our graduating seniors to leave high school feeling confident about their future, with a plan to be an active member of their community. I want our students to have confidence; and to have tolerance and the ability to respect differing opinions and beliefs.

“It’s too easy for an adolescent to get lost in the system these days. We want them to build an identity here and be able to carry that forward into their future.”

Last year’s school shooting in Uvalde must have had an impact on you both personally and professionally.”

(Pauses) “Yes. Something like that impacts you in many different ways. When it happens in your community you directly see and feel the impacts. The entire community was forever changed on that awful day.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you, at your school, in your community. It changes you and everyone around you. Unfortunately, terrible things like that remind you that safety has to be a top priority. Today, events like that are in the forefront of every school principal across the nation, regardless of the size or location of your school.”

Moving here from southern Texas, do you think you’re prepared for a good old-fashioned Maine winter?

(Laughs) “I think so. During my time in the Army, I was stationed at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. I learned a lot about winter weather there.”

You’re taking over a high school that just last year won two state championships in football and girls’ basketball. Are you nervous about keeping those winning streaks moving forward?

“I love sports. I especially like having winning teams and being part of a winning tradition. These students have shown their dedication and talent. I think we can expect a lot more good stuff this year.”

Being a native of Texas, you have no shame in saying that you are a loyal and ardent Dallas Cowboys’ fan. Do you think that’s going to get you into trouble?

“I hope not. (Laughs) We’ll see. I know people around here really love the Patriots. For the record, I’m also an Astros fan (Laughs).

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.