Meet Scott Hallett, Principal of MHS
As we get ready to kickoff another school year here at RSU 18, we wanted to introduce our district administrators! Get to know Scott Hallett, Principal of Messalonskee High School!
What was your greatest memory from last school year?
The graduation ceremony! At the high school level, I have the fortunate opportunity to celebrate students at the end of every school year by celebrating their academic accomplishments at our graduation ceremony along with their family and friends!
What are you most looking forward to about this upcoming school year?
First and foremost, I cannot wait for students and teachers to be back in the building. Specifically for the 24-25 school year, I am looking forward to sharing MHS Good News with the community via school news, continuing with our Day of Caring event, and most importantly supporting our students in all academic and extra/co-curricular activities all year long!
What’s your favorite thing to do over the summer?
Spend time with family wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and wakeskating!
Tell us about your family!
My wife of 26 years, Bonnie Hallett, is one of the two study hall monitors at MHS. My oldest child, Marissa, currently lives in Orlando, Florida and works at a school for autistic children as a behavioral specialist. My youngest child, Scotty, has just recently graduated and will spend his first year of college attending KVCC.
What is one thing you’d like to share with the students of your school building?
Perspective is everything. Maintain a positive attitude in all that you do and always strive to do good. Love and kindness win every time! This will help keep your perspective in focus!
Tell us something surprising about yourself!
My grandmother started her teaching career at Messalonskee High School (formerly Oakland High School) as a home economics teacher in the late 40s early 50s. After almost twenty years of a career in Florida, I decided to return to my roots in central Maine and now have the opportunity to serve the high school where my grandmother started her career!
What is your favorite thing about being part of RSU 18?
I have had the opportunity to work with many schools at the secondary level (middle and high school) as well as working with many other school districts when I was a curriculum specialist. From my experience, RSU 18 truly operates on the principle of doing what is best for kids from academic programming, to transportation, to well being – such as clothes, food and heat. My most favorite thing about being part of RSU 18 is that we truly put students first in all that we do!
What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is ensuring every student has all of their needs met to allow for success in an academic setting. The most rewarding part of my job is when the support in place for a student allows for their success and the ability for them to shine! Celebrating students is by far my most favorite part of the job!
If you weren’t involved in the profession of education, what would we find you doing?
I honestly don’t know. My background is general contracting prior to education; however, my passion is to ensure the success of kids. Therefore, with educators in my family, my assumption would be that I would have made it into education in some capacity at some point. I am sure happy to begin my 24th year of education here at Messalonskee High School!
What is your favorite book to share with students and why?
I would say any book! I would encourage students to find books that interest them and I would encourage them to read, re-read, and continue to find books of interest that will engage them in reading. In my opinion, our goal is to create lifelong learners. If we encourage students to read about topics they enjoy, their reading habits will strengthen and are more likely to be present later in their lives!