Brian Balding is the new Cedar Springs Middle School principal. SNN gets to know him in this edition of Meet Your Principal.
Other positions you have held in education: Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Middle School Principal-Thornapple Kellogg Schools; Math/History Teacher, Football and Wrestling Coach-Shelby High School; Pinconning Middle School
How about jobs outside education: Many, including Pizza Hut, Rite Aide, Maurices Men’s, Forsberg Flowers, Super One Foods, Oceana Golf Club, YMCA Tennis Camps, and a bunch I’m probably forgetting
Education and degrees: Bachelor of Arts-Alma College; Masters of Educational Leadership-Grand Valley State University
Spouse/children: Wife, Liz Cotter, Director of People, Organization, and Accreditation at Northview Schools; daughters: Eleanor, 8, and Abby, 5
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Skiing
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? Very active, not always the best student. (My middle school principal loves the fact that I am in this position; he said that I must really understand the kids that need behavioral help 🙂 )
The biggest lesson you have learned from students is…Kids are resilient. I’ve had students who live in very difficult situations amaze me with their strength and it has taught me that you can make it through anything.
Finish this sentence: If I could go back to school I would go to… elementary school. Those were the days.
If you walked into your new school building to theme music every day, what would the song be? “Man in the Mirror”- Michael Jackson
