Gordon Chamberlain Rocks as Capital High School’s New Assistant Principal

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By Claire Smith, Capital High School Intern to ThurstonTalk

A love of music is an important part of Capital High School's new Assistant Principal, Gordon Chamberlain, seen here in front of the Apollo Theater in New York.
A love of music is an important part of Capital High School’s new Assistant Principal, Gordon Chamberlain, seen here in front of the Apollo Theater in New York.

The tides have shifted and changed at Capital High School in the administrative offices.  When you think assistant principal of a high school, rock and roll fan probably isn’t the first thing that pops in your mind. However, Gordon Chamberlain, Capital High School’s new assistant principal, is here to defy your stereotypes, doing so with a warm smile and a friendly hello.

Chamberlain has been in a school, either studying or teaching, for 55 straight years. He’s known that he wanted to be an educator since he was in sixth grade. He originally pursued a career in music education, but made the change to English as his passion lies in literature. Chamberlain loves reading and enjoys discussions about life, particularly how life relates to novels. His favorite aspect as an English teacher, however, is how he learns from his students. Chamberlain continues this learning as an administrator.

After teaching English in Missoula, Montana for 22 years, Chamberlain felt he needed a change. He became a dean of students and admits it was a tough and stressful transition, yet he found it very rewarding. He loves helping students, and enjoys being able to witness the transition from a rebellious freshman into a more mature adult by the student’s senior year. He loves helping kids who are really struggling and finds the challenge to be very rewarding.

Chamberlain believes there’s nothing more important than being approachable so that students aren’t afraid to ask for help. He recognizes how high school students in particular deal with incredible insecurities. Chamberlain knows students need nothing more than an adult who believes in them when they are at their very lowest low. He loves being that adult, affirming the needs of students and being the one to believe in and help them.

Chamberlain's first rock band was The Transcendental Light, seen here in a performance in 1969.
Chamberlain’s first rock band was The Transcendental Light, seen here in a performance in 1969.

Chamberlain grew up in Denton, a small town in central Montana. Music was a part of his life early on and he’s been playing the piano since he was 7-years-old. During his freshman year of high school, Chamberlain found himself being recruited by four juniors and seniors to join a rock band. The Transcendental Light was the only rock band in town, and they needed a keyboardist. Chamberlain was classically trained, but it didn’t take him much effort to learn how to adapt his style to fit the rock and roll scene. He fell in love with the genre and has spent so much time listening to it he has lost most of his hearing in his left ear as a result.

Chamberlain still plays to this day for a group called Mick Hart and the Classic Vinyl Band. He currently plays the keyboard and is also a vocalist. Music is not his only love, however. Chamberlain has a passion for traveling and has explored the globe from Peru to Europe to Japan.

This new role isn’t Chamberlain’s first time at Capital High School. He served as vice principal at CHS from 2001 to 2004. He obtained the position through a connection with the niece of former dean of students, Paul Ander. Chamberlain mentioned he was looking to move to Washington to be closer to his wife’s family. He mentioned looking into a position at Capital and Ander’s niece put a good word in.

Chamberlain, seen here with his wife, relocated to Olympia from Montana to be closer to his wife's family.
Chamberlain, pictured here with his wife, relocated to Olympia from Montana to be closer to his wife’s family.

Chamberlain loves the atmosphere at CHS and is constantly amazed by how respectful the students are to the staff and one another. Chamberlain thinks Capital has a unique sense of community rarely seen in a high school. He enjoys how much the staff cares and loves how amazingly high performing the students are.

Chamberlain loves his job as assistant principal and finds it very rewarding, but his favorite part isn’t what happens while he’s working, it’s what happens after his work is done. Chamberlain finds nothing more rewarding then when students return to him and thank him for the help he has given them. He understands how teachers and staff often question themselves, wondering if they’re saying the right thing or doing enough. “I ultimately feel I have no regrets,” Chamberlain says. “This is the best job in the world if you want to help others.”

There’s nothing that makes this job more rewarding to Chamberlain than when he walks into the Capital High School commons during a crowded morning. “There’s something special about Capital. The positive vibes and the Cougar pride make every day worth it.”

 

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