Uxbridge’s Rubin named principal of the year in Mass.
UXBRIDGE - The Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA) has named Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin as Massachusetts’ High School Principal of the The honor recognizes one middle school and one high school principal “who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.” As Principal of the “It is both humbling and overwhelming to have been selected for this most prestigious award,” Rubin said. “I am grateful for the support of many people along the way, including many great colleagues and mentors, who have contributed to our successes at 8HS, be it as part of our community or from afar. I am also Tuite blessed to have an incredibly patient, understanding, and supportive family who understands the many sacrifices that come with school leadership.” In his fifth year at the helm of 8[bridge High School, 5ubin has shepherded in changes that have not only garnered local, state, and national recognition, but have also provided opportunities for students not typically available to students in a small high school. 8nder his leadership, 8[bridge High School was named one of only four schools in the Commonwealth in 1 to earn initial distinction as an Innovation Pathway school. In the time since, 8HS has earned membership to the National Consortium of 6econdary 6TE0 6chools and the CA36 1etwork, both affiliated with merging expanded and authentic outcomes for students in terms of career and post-secondary success. The school has also earned more than million in grant funding and has been named a Project Lead the Way commended school and one of the top percent of all high schools in the nation, according to U.6. 1ews and World 5eport. In addition, the school’s guidance and engineering programs have been recognized at the state level for its accomplishments, and the school has hosted more than schools over the past two years on various professional development tours and panels that intend to share learning experiences across the Commonwealth. The UH6 administration has presented at the national level on building strategic community partnerships to enhance curricular outcomes for students, and, in the past year, has shared its post-secondary programs as part of pilot consortiums with other schools in the region, as well as partnering with the %lackstone 9alley Ed Hub to build technical programs. 5ubin also supports the Gateway to College program at Quinsigamond Community College, for which Uxbridge is the diploma-granting institution. In addition to his work for UH6, 5ubin serves on various committees across the state, including the Project Lead the Way Conference Committee, the Central Massachusetts STEM Ecosystem, the National Honor Society state committee, and the MIAA Softball committee. For Rubin, it’s not about the accolades, it’s about creating a school culture in which students and staff can work collaboratively to explore curriculum opportunities that lead to personal learning and growth that have real world application. "We want everyone who sets foot at UHS to leave feeling inspired, to move beyond complacency, and to truly value the balance between essential content and skills,” he said. ³We commit to everyone all students, all families, all staff, and we focus every day on empowering that spirit of community and collegiality.” Uxbridge School Superintendent Frank Tiano said he was delighted, but not surprised by the news when he received the call from MSAA. "Once Mike was named a finalist, I knew the award was his,” he said. "I knew the others under consideration were talented educational leaders, but I cannot imagine another principal doing what Mike is doing in Uxbridge.” Tiano says Rubin "uses his intelligence and passion to push the thinking of his staff on what is possible for our students and his experience and drive to make it happen. '"While uncompromising in his expectations for himself and others, he is skilled at empowering diverse members of the school, district, and business community to contribute to student learning,” he said. To be considered for the award a principal must first be nominated. William Burkhead, principal of Monomoy Regional High School and Superintendent of Scituate Public Schools, nominated Rubin in July after touring Uxbridge High School and seeing the impact of its programming on student learning. "Mike Rubin is a colleague and a friend. I have the highest regard for him as an educational leader and father,” Burkhead said. "Mike is a true visionary leader who is able to bring people together to accomplish amazing things on behalf of students.” The son of two educators, including a 39-year veteran of the Malden Public Schools, Rubin graduated from Brown University with a double concentration in English and Judaic Studies and earned his masters degree in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University. Before beginning his career in Uxbridge, he taught English and served as an assistant principal at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School before spending three years as the Dean of Academics and Student Activities at Medway High School.