Dan Haas isn’t a new face at Scripps Middle School, but he does have a new title: Principal.
Haas took over the position from Ken Gutman, who replaces Christine Lehman as assistant superintendent of human resources.
Lehman was made superintendent after Dr. Craig Younkman retired in July.
Haas will have some help. Kevin Brock has been hired as his assistant and comes to Lake Orion from the Clarkston School District.
Haas has served in administration at Scripps for the past four years, two of them as associate principal. Prior to that, he taught eighth grade American history for four years at the school.
Brock has taught seventh and eighth grade applied technology at Clarkston Middle School for the past seven years.
He lives in Clarkston with his wife, and fellow teacher, Debra. The couple have three sons: Carson, 3; Ethan, 21 months; and Aidan, four months.
Haas lives in Berkley with his wife Andrea, and their two daughters: Amielia, 2; and Reagan, 5 1/2 months.
Both Haas and Brock say they are excited for the new school year to begin. Although this is Brock’s first job in administration, he said he had several roles at CMS that helped him prepare.
‘Lake Orion (Schools) was similar, and I liked the forward thinking of the district,? he said.
‘I will miss some aspects of teaching, but (being in administration) will give me a chance to develop the types of relationships with students you wouldn’t normally see (as a teacher).?
Haas said he has gotten a lot of sound advice from Gutman.
‘He’s been an outstanding mentor,? said Haas. ‘He’s been invaluable.
‘I do miss teaching, because teachers are so important in helping students to develop. But you have to make it a priority to impact the students as an administrator.?
As an associate principal, Haas had to deal with a lot of discipline issues, but worked hard to make sure that wasn’t his only focus.
‘I’m looking forward to being able to work with other administrators, and do what we have to do to make sure every child gets what they need to be successful,? said Haas.
Brock got a good feeling about the district from the first school board meeting he attended, when he was hired.
‘My wife was there,? he said. ‘The board members got up and they were doing staff appreciation…You got a really warm feeling when they congratulated these people. Right away I felt very comfortable.?
Brock has had a chance to meet everyone on the Scripps? staff, and said they are ‘fantastic.?
‘I’m looking forward to working on a global scale with the curriculum and the teachers,? he said.
‘It’s our job to make sure the teachers get what they need,? added Haas.
Haas and Brock have been working together through the summer, and are excited for when Scripps? 900 plus students return from summer break.
Both said they really enjoy working with kids at the middle school ages.
‘It’s constantly changing,? Brock said of the age group. ‘It’s their more fun time in education.?
Brock taught one year at the high school level, but found it wasn’t for him.
‘Middle school is where it’s at for me,? he said.
‘It’s such a critical time in a child’s educational career,? said Haas. ‘I find that very exciting. They are making the transition from elementary students to high school students. It’s exciting to be a part of that.?
Haas doesn’t plan to deviate much from the way Gutman was running the school.
‘Lake Orion as a whole, I think, has a great staff, but I feel very lucky with the staff we have at Scripps,? he said.
‘Being here the last eight years, I’m pretty invested in everything we’ve done here.?
Haas, who grew up in Mendon, about a half hour south of Kalamazoo, was inspired to consider a career in teaching by having several family members in education.
‘Several teachers also had an impact on me,? he said. ‘But as an undergraduate, my freshman year I did not plan on coming out in four years with a teaching certificate.?
Haas completed his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan, and holds a master’s degree and Education Specialist Degree from Oakland University.
Brock, a Sterling Heights native, completed his undergraduate work at Eastern Michigan University, and has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University.
‘I was mainly inspired by my high school coach,? he said. ‘I started my undergraduate degree intending to be an engineer.?
Brock began coaching, and said through tutoring a student he discovered his true calling.
‘What a great feeling when that light bulb goes off,? he said of teaching a child.
Brock said he has gotten a lot of support from his wife, although once the school year begins they will be rivals as she teaches at a middle school in Clarkston.
‘But we went to rival high schools and colleges, and she taught at a rival middle school when I was at Clarkston,? Brock added. ‘It’s a good joke between us.?
Brock believes the time commitment shouldn’t be too different from what he was used to before.
‘I was a teacher, and a varsity coach,? he said. ‘I was the swimming and diving coach.?
‘I don’t think you can do a job like this without the support at home,? Haas said of his wife. ‘She’s the main reason.?
When they have free time, both Haas and Brock like to spend time with their families.
‘My wife and I like to do outdoor things,? said Haas. ‘I like hanging out with the family.?
‘I really love spending time with my three boys,? Brock said. ‘We like to do family stuff, like go to the park. Just being out with the kids.?