HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. -- An elementary principal in Hernando County has come up with a unique way to make himself more approachable to students. 

  • Scooter riding principal wants Spring Hill students to see fun side
  • Michael Maine wants to make self more approachable to students

While most principals walk the halls, Michael Maine at Spring Hill Elementary rolls on his very own scooter.

“I decided that I was going to get out on wheels and do something outside the box and fun so the kids can see me in a different light,” Maine said. 

This is the first week Maine has hopped on board his new ride and so far it’s a hit. 

“I was like ‘Oh my god what is he doing,” 5th grader Jaylene Sanchez said. 

“I want them to take away that I’m approachable, that the principal position is not something that they should be afraid of,” Maine explained. 

The staff got involved too, giving Maine some new accessories for his scooter as well as his own safety gear and cape, allowing him to be “Super Unstoppable” who plans to surprise the kids throughout the year. 

“It’s just another way for us to reach out and say learning can be fun and we care about you and this is our community,” teacher Lisa Evans said. 

“If we don’t build relationships, without the relationship you have nothing else…If I can capture that relationship then we know that we can capture that student to begin to move forward academically and bringing down some of those barriers or walls that they have,” Maine said. 

A principal going the extra mile to help kids succeed

Maine has been principal at Spring Hill Elementary for the last four years.