Darin Gagnebin

Vice principal Darin Gagnebin, has been an educational leader for 17 years, with his masters in Educational Leadership. This is his first year at Paola and he said he’s very excited to be at the high school.
“My favorite thing about my job is being here with the kids everyday, going to all of the school events and all of the academic success here,” Gagnebin said.
Gagnebin said it is his turn to pay back the community. Before coming to Paola he was assistant principal at Louisburg High School for six years and a middle school teacher for 11years.
“Teaching is something I have always wanted to do; I have never wanted to do anything else,” Gagnebin said.
Gagnebin came into the school year with a different perspective and new light, with a lot of new ideas to make this school a better place to be. Gagnebin said he is not looking to make any major changes this year, just trying to learn how to be a Panther.
“Some of my expectations as being a leader here at Paola is that I expect good behavior and trying hard with school and after school activities such as athletics. I want students to succeed at what they choose to do in life and I want to be a part of it and help them get there,” Gagnebin said.
The rich tradition, athletics and his family brought him to Paola. Gagnebin has lived in Paola for 20 years and his two daughters attend school at the high school and middle school. He said he enjoys being assistant principal and doesn’t plan to become principal.
However, there can be some stressful things about being a vice principal.
“My least favorite thing about my job is the negative side that goes with it, which is disciplining students and dealing with upset parents,” Gagnebin said.
He said he likes working with teenagers because it is a fun age to watch students grow and mature, plus, it’s never boring.