Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent gets a high-five from a student Monday afternoon in the school auditorium in Poland just after it was announced he was named Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals’ Association. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

POLAND — When the Maine Principal of the Year selection committee asked eighth grader Gabriella Copper to describe Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent in a single word, she found herself at a loss.

“That might have been the hardest thing to do because there’s not one word to describe him,” she said. “Maybe ‘unbelievable,’ like he is just everything.”

Vincent, she said, is funny and approachable, yet respected by students and staff alike. Every morning, whether it’s sunny or storming, he’s at the door greeting students by name. Even after school, he’s often among the attendees at sports games, concerts and plays.

“He makes kids want to come to school,” she said.

Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent, right, gets a high-five Monday afternoon from Andy Wilbur of Freeport, a former colleague and friend of Vincent. The greeting in the school auditorium in Poland was just after it was announced that Vincent has been named Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals’ Association. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

On Monday, students learned that Vincent was selected as the Maine Principals’ Association’s Principal of the Year after a monthslong selection process. The announcement was met with an outpouring of enthusiasm.

“It’s certainly an honor to be recognized as principal of the year, like, that’s a big deal,” Vincent said to students and staff. “I appreciate that very much, but this is not about anything that I’m doing. This is about what we’re doing together, and I’m so excited that we get to celebrate this.”

Yet, students and staff didn’t hesitate to attribute the school’s success and supportive culture to Vincent.

“He fosters that culture,” special education teacher Shannon Shanning said. “If you took him out of the equation and put someone else in — (he) truly is a true leader (who) creates that culture.”

Holly Blair, executive director of the professional division of the Maine Principals’ Association, addresses students and faculty Monday morning at Bruce Whittier Middle School in Poland. Later, she announced that Principal Shawn Vincent had been chosen as Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals’ Association. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

“You can run a school but to run it as good as he does, to still make sure we all feel welcome,” Cooper said, trailing off. “It’s not like we just come to school to come to school. He makes it feel like (we’re a) family, kind of.”

Every morning, Vincent not only reads the morning announcements over the TV, he also shares the names of students and staff celebrating a birthday that day.

In November, he participated in a schoolwide No-Shave November challenge to help raise money for charity. Eighth grader William Wallingford recalled that he dyed his mustache blue.

“He’s not afraid to be silly,” he said.

And then, students said, there’s the dad jokes he often shares at the end of announcements.

“He thinks he’s really funny,” Cooper said before conceding, “He is funny.”

It was clear Monday that students and staff alike were proud to share in Vincent’s recognition.

When staff learned he had won last week, they surprised him with the news by filling his office with balloons. After the school assembly Monday, Shannings’ students made celebratory signs to hang in the teachers’ lounge.

“I think all of us just are feeling so proud of him and, I think, of the work we’ve done together,” Shanning said.

Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent addresses students and faculty Monday afternoon in the Poland school’s auditorium after it was announced he was named Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals’ Association. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Vincent, a native of Mechanic Falls, started teaching at Bruce M. Whittier Middle School in 2004 and became the principal in 2012.

One point of pride, he said, is the middle school’s low staff turnover. During his time as principal, there was a two or three year period when not a single staff member left the school, he said.

“I just think that speaks to the quality staff we have here and just the culture and climate of our school,” he said. “People wanted to work together, they wanted to be here.”

Holly Blair, executive director of the Maine Principals’ Association’s professional division, said they received roughly 30 nominations for the Principal of the Year award, a record number for the decades-old honor.

Maine’s selection program is more thorough than most states with similar programs, she said. A committee made up of former award recipients reviews applications, then selects two or three finalists. The committee then visits the schools to talk with students and staff in person before making their selection.

Vincent’s recognition is the latest in a number of high-profile awards for Bruce M. Whittier Middle School staff over the past decade. Shanning was named Maine Teacher of the Year in 2013, and social studies teacher Jamie Karaffa received a Milken Educator Award in 2022.

BruceM. Whittier Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent, right, listens to speakers Monday afternoon in the auditorium in Poland moments before the student body was told he was chosen Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals’ Association. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal