Springfield High School principal announces resignation

As the school year comes to a close, Springfield High School (SHS) will be saying goodbye to their beloved principal Robert Thibault.

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2016-06-01 / Front Page Springfield High School principal announces resignation ERICKA SCHOFF Springfield High School principal Bob Thibault stands in the main office at the school. — ERICKA SCHOFF Springfield High School principal Bob Thibault stands in the main office at the school. — ERICKA SCHOFF As the school year comes to a close, Springfield High School (SHS) will be saying goodbye to their beloved principal Robert Thibault. Thibault has been apart of the district for the last seven years, but has decided to relocate to Leland and Gray High School. Although, he’ll be greatly missed, his relocation will allow him to be closer to his home and will give him the opportunity to be in the same district as his children. Enlarge Map Thibault has been a great addition to the SHS staff, from being named the 2015 Vermont High School Principal of the Year, to being an administrator students feel they can open up to. “It was a hard choice,” said Thibault. “I love this place and I’m committed to it.” SHS students and staff wish Thibault nothing but the best as he enters this new chapter of his life. SHS senior Brooke Willey describe Thibault as a light hearted and passionate principal. “My favorite qualities of Mr. Thibault’s is his sense of humor and his calm personality,” she said. “Thibault helped me try to become a better person these past four years. He has taught not only me, but other students that we should be proud of the community we are in and to support one another, whether it be in sports, academics or during the school day.” Willey is glad that she was able to end her high school career with Thibault as her principal. Throughout Thibault’s seven years at SHS, he has been able to connect with students and has allowed them to feel like they are being heard. His kindness and consideration are qualities that the students hope to find in their new principal. English teacher Kevin Coen has felt that Thibault has always made himself available to the staff whether it be personally or professionally. Thibault has provided teachers an environment for constant growth. “I think when Bob was hired, the school became a place where learning was expected. Prior to that, it was sort of a free-for-all. Now, even though there are issues we still face, I think most students realize that learning is the expectation, a non-negotiable,” said Coen. “Bob has helped foster an environment in which I feel comfortable questioning the status quo. This doesn't mean I always get my way—far from it—but I do feel comfortable in most situations expressing my opinion. As the youngest of five boys, that isn't something that always came naturally to me.” Senior Tyler Rumrill thanks Thibault for opening his eyes over the past four years to the importance of education. “Mr. Thibault has helped change the atmosphere in our school. He has been able to create relationships with the students and has tried to understand situations from our point of view,” he said. “I'll miss the way he interacts with the students and his outgoing personality. He's helped me realize how important school is and that I need to do the my best to achieve what I want.” Vice principal Jade Costello has appreciated Thibault’s strong communication skills over the years. She admires his thoughtfulness and hopes to continue to incorporate his lessons into her own work. “Mr. T helped create a stronger sense of safety, consistency and unity at SHS. He was able to set clear and feasible expectations for the building, while also encouraging both students and staff to be agents of positive change,” said Costello. “The thing I will miss most about Mr. T is his capacity to get the best out of people. He is thoughtful and intelligent about the strengths of the people he works with and he finds ways to allow people to play to their strengths and use those strengths to improve our school community. Trusting others and trusting their potential is the mark of a sound leader,” he continued. Sophomore Theo Avent hasn’t known Thibault for very long, but in just two years, Thibault has become a great model for him. “Thibault has done things to implement positive changes to make sure students feel safe and wanted here. He has been a close advisor of mine these past two years and I feel like the school is losing a great leader,” said Avent. “I just want to say, thank you for everything you have done for me and you will be so very missed. I hope you realize how much you mean to us.”