Video: Mike Bruchac sendoff at MHS 2016 graduation (1:24 on vide0)
By Berit Ollestad
A number of principles guided Mike Bruchac during his 34 years as an educator.
The first: Know Thy Students.
“If you don’t take the time to accomplish that, learning will not happen,” said Bruchac, who retired last month as vice principal at Morristown High School.
Being a good listener is important, he said. Developing trust is key. “You have to let them know you support them and care about them,” Bruchac said.
It wasn’t unusual for students to see the vice principal at a concert or a football- or lacrosse game on weekends.
“If the kids see you when you aren’t obligated to be there, then you must be okay and they can trust you,” he said.
This also gave him the opportunity to tell them in the halls on Monday: Great game, good job.
Kids haven’t changed much over the years, Bruchac said. But teaching methods have. When Bruchac started his career, most classes were teacher-led. Now, learning is technology-driven, with teachers serving as facilitators of information.
Oh yes, there is another constant. Getting called into the vice principal’s office still spells trouble.
Known as the school disciplinarian, Bruchac has seen his share of student trials and tribulations. Yet he hopes he will be remembered with warmth.
“I hope that I helped you to transition to the next level in your life and that you knew I cared about each and every one of you, and that you learned something from me along the way,” said Bruchac.
He said his greatest satisfaction is running into graduates who share what’s going on in their lives. Not long ago, one told him: “You never thought I was listening to you when I was always in your office; I was. I heard everything you said and I just want to thank you.”
Morris School District Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast said Bruchac’s “positive energy has had a substantive and meaningful impact on the lives of thousands,” and thanked him for his “tireless dedication.”
Bruchac has outlasted nine principals and four secretaries. He also hired his current boss. When Bruchac chaired the Social Studies Department, he approved bringing aboard a rookie teacher named Mark Manning, who rose to become MHS principal.
With a chuckle, Manning recalled how Bruchac once forgot to tell a previous principal that he had left open the pit for a musical. The principal fell in.
“Mike has taught me the importance of remaining calm in an emergency. Over the course of his career, Mike has handled multiple emergency situations without losing his cool” said Manning.
“It’s been a nice long run. I have no regrets,” said Bruchac, who has embraced a Dr. Seuss maxim: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Bruchac already has told his wife that come September, he’ll need to be out of state, because that’s when the reality will set in that he won’t be walking though the high school doors.
Fortunately for them both, getting out of state won’t be hard. Bruchac and his wife have bought a beach home on Cape Cod. They also are taking an Alaskan cruise this summer with friends.
Bruchac‘s replacement has not yet been identified by the district.
Who could’ve thought that playing Volleyball at AH after school with Mike and fellow teachers, would turn out to be a precursor for watching him rise to the ranks of Administrator at MHS.
When a staff member passed away unexpectedly, I was enticed back, so the first day of spring semester, I parked in the bus lane. Mike came down and suggested I move or be towed the next time. Well, I rode my Harley and parked in the bus lane …. On the sidewalk ! He came down and our words were simple ,”Mike, what will you tell the personnel director when we have this conversation and I hand you the keys and go home ? ” He just laughed and said I had a nice bike !!!! That was my friend, Mike B.
Enjoy the next life, kid !!!
Love you Brushac!!!
Tough shoes to fill when they replace him. His wisdom can be applied to many situations in life.