Jim Blain
It is with pride and great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mr. James Blain as the incoming Principal of Suffield High School.
Mr. Blain was interviewed and approved by the Board of Education after a rigorous process. Three finalists were interviewed by a committee of 19 members including BOE members, students, parents, an administrative assistant, faculty, and school and district administrators. The process included focus groups to characterize the desired candidate qualities, a structured interview, a performance task and interview, and small groups to engage in conversation. Mr. Blain’s authentic leadership skills and passion for educating the whole child make him a great fit for Suffield Public Schools.
Mr. Blain earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1992 from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a Master of Business Administration in 1998 from Western New England University. Mr. Blain first held a teaching license in 1996 and was a high school business and math teacher before becoming assistant principal at Roger L. Putnam Vocational High School in Springfield from 2004 to 2008.
Mr. Blain is currently the principal at Chicopee High School, where he has been principal since January 2017. Prior to his principal position, Mr. Blain was Athletic Director for the Chicopee Public Schools which included two high schools from July 2008 to January 2017. During this period, he was named Massachusetts Athletic Director of the Year (2016).
Mr. Blain is a knowledgeable and passionate educator who understands the importance of positive relationships to develop a healthy school environment where staff and students grow and succeed. He values having a culture of recognition, being visible and matching actions with district values. He values the importance of involving teachers in decision making and considering multiple perspectives. He is familiar with curriculum development and teacher supervision and evaluation. His MBA degree and business world experience can only enhance his work within the District. Mr. Blain is student focused, a problem solver, and dedicated to meeting all students’ academic and social-emotional needs.We are very excited to welcome Jim Blain!