Imagine the possibilitiesRetiring Holmes County Training Center principal Cindy McCauley focused on helping each child thrive
As far as time spent in leading a school as a principal, two and one-half years is not a real long time span. But it isnt necessarily how long you are somewhere, but rather what you get accomplished while you are there that truly defines a person and the impact they had on the people around them.For Cindy McCauley, who stepped down as principal at the Holmes County Training Center on Friday, Sept. 2, that time span was enough to create some incredible bonds with students, staff and families, and to implement a number of decisive actions that appear as though they may well benefit the school for years to come.As McCauley sat at her desk on her final day as the principal of the training center, she reminisced about her time spent there, and the legacy she was leaving behind, as well as what she would miss the most as she stepped down to allow incoming principal Rhoda Mast to take over the reins.Possibilities, said McCauley, her eyes already glazing over with tears as she thought back to the beginning. The one thing I really wanted to do when I came in was to focus on the possibilities for our kids and families. I thought our staff did an amazing job of promoting the feeling that we could accomplish anything together with teamwork. That has really helped our families and kids with their quality of life.If nothing else during her time at the training center, McCauley has always stressed the positive, whether with the students or the staff. When it came to events and achievements within the center, McCauley made sure that each success was celebrated.For her, it was all about developing a positive culture, whether it was teaching students how to walk, talk or communicate, or simply the relationships between staff and students.Not long into her role as principal, McCauley began taking a look at some serious questions. What did the center value? What were the goals? And ultimately, what kind of an outcome did they want for each child?She decided that focusing on the individual child rather than the group as a whole was the way to go, and determining what would best facilitate learning in each childs life, whether it was enhancing verbal skills or using picture cues to perpetuate communication skills.I was anxious to come in and implement the idea that every teacher taught to the context of standards in reading, math, social studies and sciences, that was on par with the skill level of every child, said McCauley. What exact skills does a child need to be successful in their homes or communities? That was our focus, and I credit our staff, because they become visionaries and really responded to that challenge.McCauleys focus was on designing curriculum based on adapting to each childs disability.In her stay, the center connected with both West Holmes and Hiland school districts, and began autism classes that allowed the students to expand their horizons. They began working closely with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, planning programs alongside the families, gearing them toward individual needs that perpetuate success.We wanted to find the least restrictive environment that allowed the most growth and success, said McCauley. East Holmes Schools actually approached us and asked how they could do a better job with autism children. We began exploring some options and West Holmes Schools got on board. I give credit to the schools, because they really wanted to improve. They said they wanted these kids to be as successful as they could possibly be.Another huge step forward during McCauleys stay was that of placing more than 60 books into the public library that helped parents deal with autism, and the various approaches, techniques and support systems that were available to families with autistic children. It was all part of educating the public and making them aware.What are the possibilities, reiterated McCauley. That continually came to the forefront in everything we were trying to do.McCauley will be the last to take credit for the different systems and ideas that were implemented during her time, instead giving credit to the staff and teams with whom she worked at the center. She said their dedication and commitment to following through set a perfect example of creating a successful environment for the students.For a part-time principal, a position she signed up for, but one she said is an oxymoron, the past two and one-half years have been a monumental blessing.I am deeply going to miss the kids, the families and the staff here, said McCauley, again beginning to tear up. I have enjoyed being able to be a part of a problem solving team that works for the betterment of everyone.Before retiring to her farm in Ashland with her husband, McCauley will help incoming principal Mast move into the role she is vacating, and said that Mast will be a wonderful replacement for her.Rhoda knows this place, and she already has a lot invested here having worked here before, said McCauley. I feel like I am leaving the position in very good hands.As for McCauleys impact on the school, superintendent Scott Brace said that the organization is losing a tremendously gifted leader, and one who has had a monumental impact on the growth and success of the school.Shes finishing very strong, said Brace of McCauley. She has really raised the bar as far as expectations. The staff has truly taken her curriculum to heart, and we will miss her dearly.Still, even in retirement, McCauley will not completely shake the part of her life that has been such a major influence on who she is and how she sees others. She will continue to work one day each week as an assistant principal at Dale-Roy School and Workshop, and while she returns to her roots in Ashland, she said that Holmes County will always be in her heart.The people here have been a huge blessing, said McCauley. Ive been very fortunate to be a part of something special.Something special, which grew and blossomed because of one womans pursuit to imagine the possibilities.
