BRUNSWICK

Peter Dawson is a native New Yorker. But, at this point, he’s probably spent more of his life in Maine or abroad than in the Empire State of his birth.

Most recently the principal of secondary education at the Bonn International School in Germany, Dawson is the second of three finalists to be considered for the vacant principal’s post at Brunswick High School.

After touring the school and meeting with students, faculty and parents Tuesday, Dawson spent an hour answering questions and examining whether he would — or would not — be the right candidate for Brunswick.

He drew on his experience starting as an assistant principal at Lakes Region High School in Casco and director of Guidance at Windham High School, and later as principal at Kennebunk, Cape Elizabeth and Yarmouth high schools.

“School administration is a matter of (the right) fit — you can be brilliant in one school and a failure at another,” he said. “It’s just a matter of chemistry and leadership style.”

Being an effective principal also can mean knowing when one’s time is up, he said.

“I’m always amazed when I meet someone who’s been a principal at the same school for 28 years,” Dawson said. “I mean, it’s impressive. But I’m not sure it’s always good, you know?”

Dawson has served in various administrative posts at international schools overseas, including Tel Aviv, Bonn, Prague and Vienna. But he always maintained a home in Maine — first in Gray and now in Scarborough — because since he and his wife first arrived in 1982, they knew this was where they would retire.

With the arrival of their first grandchild, Dawson has lost his zeal for world travel, preferring to be closer to his family.

Likewise, while he said he hasn’t lost his ambition or effectiveness, he acknowledged that he’s closing in on his final resumé update.

“Education is the most important career, in my opinion, but you have to live for it,” Dawson said. “If you’ve stopped loving it, then you’re hurting people.”

He said, “The depth and width of programs here is impressive — but it doesn’t mean that we’re already doing the best we can do.”

One other search finalist is due to arrive for a tour and interviews with faculty and students on Thursday. Interview committee members then will make a recommendation to Superintendent Paul Perzanoski, who will make his recommendation to the full school board the following week.

jtleonard@timesrecord.com