Mr. Brian Cain

Brian Cain
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Brian Cain (born c. 1966) is principal of Simmons Middle School in Hoover.

[edit] Biography

In 1989, Cain got his start in education when he became a teacher at Vestavia Hills High School where he taught math, psychology, and sociology.In 2002 he became an assistant principal of Hoover High School.While there, he was in charge of the Advanced Placement program and several hundred 11th grade students.

In 2005, Cain was promoted to principal of Crossroads School, Hoover City Schools' alternative school.When Simmons principal Carol Barber was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2007, Cain was one of six candidates interviewed to replace her and ultimately got the job.

On August 9, 2007, after Crossroads principal Brian Cain had been appointed principal of Simmons Middle School, Whitney was hired by the Hoover school board as principal of Crossroads.
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Brian Cain Crossroads School Principal

Principal: Mr. Brian Cain

Mr. Brian Cain, Principal ...

Brian Cain, principal of Simmons Middle School with two of his students

Honestly, I became a principal because, growing up, I became quite accustomed to the furniture in the principal's office," jokes Brian Cain, principal of Simmons Middle School.

Beneath his laid-back, humorous exterior, however, is a man committed to more than just running a school. And while the adage "failure is not an option" may be worn out, when Cain applies it to the administration efforts at Simmons Middle School, its meaning is anything but clichéd.

Cain, hired as the Simmons principal in late July, is committed to establishing an ongoing mutual respect between himself, the faculty and, most important, the students at the middle school.

"Every time I talk to young people, I talk with them-not at them," says Cain of his interactions with the students. "Always respect everyone, even if they don't respect you. It works."

Cain also understands the difficulties of delegating responsibilities to the faculty at Simmons, a school with hundreds of students enrolled. Previously the principal for Hoover's Alternative School and assistant principal for Hoover High, Cain explained the different approaches in addressing the needs of each student.

"Some schools have a low number of students, each with relatively high needs," said Cain "Others have more students, each requiring less one-on-one attention. The key is to ensure each student is given the proper help to succeed."

Previously a middle school math teacher, Cain admits he still misses the classroom, and the more personal connection with a smaller group of students.

"Occasionally I'll walk into one of the math classrooms and let the teacher have a break, and I'll teach for a while," Cain said.
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Cain still handles the major discipline problems, but, overall, he enjoys "working with a broader group of people."

The education system in the 21st century is certainly a different atmosphere than that of the era of the "three Rs. The advent of in-classroom technology helps teachers track the progress of each student. Cain described one in-class tool, a handheld device that into which students can type their answers to teachers' questions.

"This way, the teachers can discreetly determine which students may be struggling in class, sparing them the embarrassment of having to admit in front of the class that they don't understand," said Cain.

The state requires the teachers to teach certain content, but the method, according to Cain, is flexible.

With the rise in school violence over the past decade, Cain is acutely aware of the importance of the issue of in-school safety.

"Think of it like real estate," he said "If you're selling a house in a bad neighborhood, the value will decrease.

Principal: Mr. Brian Cain, 2007

Brian Cain, Assistant Principal at Hoover High School said the staff are taking measures to help the students to deal with their classmates' death.

"All the students are doing fine.They are doing as well as you can expect.We have two counseling rooms set up and the classes have stopped to allow students to talk about what happened."

Cain said the students are coping with the incident in different ways.

"We have alot of students that didn't come to school and many of them checked out today."

The students that decided they can handle a full day in school are vocal about their grief.

"Many of the students knew both of the boys and they are just venting and trying to understand how and why something like this can happen at their school."