Meet Sam Dunbar, Assistant Principal of Messalonskee Middle School
Meet Sam Dunbar, Assistant Principal of Messalonskee Middle School!
Personal Background and Motivation
After graduating from college, Mr. Dunbar and his wife both began their careers in education—she was hired at Belgrade Central School while he accepted a position at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Wanting to live between their jobs, they settled in Belgrade in 2006, where they have loved being part of a small, connected community.
Dunbar spent ten years at Mt. Blue, teaching 9th grade social studies for eight years and serving as Assistant Principal for two. In 2016, he was drawn to RSU 18 by the opportunity to grow as a leader while serving the community where he lives. He started as an Assistant Principal at Messalonskee High School, became Principal at Messalonskee Middle School in 2020, and returned to the Assistant Principal role there in 2024 to create a better work-life balance.
Being able to work in the district his children attend has made the experience especially meaningful. At times they have even been in the same school, and that connection has helped Dunbar balance the demands of school leadership while staying close to his family.
Passion for Education
What Mr. Dunbar enjoys most about working in education is that it is both challenging and deeply meaningful. The fast pace and unpredictability of each day keep the work engaging. While there have been times he has wondered if he should explore a different career path, he always returns to the conclusion that this is his life’s work.
For Dunbar, the most rewarding part of the job is building relationships with students and witnessing their growth. He finds the transformation that takes place between 6th and 8th grade remarkable, noting that middle school is a time of profound academic, social, and emotional development. Being part of that journey is a privilege he values greatly.
Leadership Style and Vision
One area Mr. Dunbar plans to focus on this year is supporting consistent student attendance. He believes that while many factors impact student success, being at school every day makes a tremendous difference. When students miss school, they miss not only instruction but also time with friends, connections with teachers, and the daily routines that support their growth.
Dunbar emphasizes that Messalonskee Middle School has an outstanding team dedicated to supporting students—but that support is only possible when students are present. He looks forward to partnering with families to remove barriers to attendance and ensure that every student makes the most of their time at MMS.
Personal Insights
Mr. Dunbar has always been a big fan of The Hunger Games series and recently finished the latest book. What he admires most about the series is how teenagers, with some support from adults, rise to the occasion when they see something wrong. Rather than ignoring challenges, they take action to make things better not just for themselves, but for others as well.
He sees strong parallels between the books and what educators strive to inspire in students. Middle schoolers may be young, but they are capable of recognizing problems, asking big questions, and working toward positive change. Helping students build the confidence and skills to do that is one of the most meaningful aspects of his work.
Message to Students and Families
As the new school year begins, Dunbar’s message is simple: We’re in this together. He recognizes that the middle school years can be a wild ride, but believes that when families, students, staff, and the community work as a team, the journey becomes smoother and more meaningful.
He encourages families not to hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or even just to check in—and promises that he and the MMS staff will do the same. “We’re here to support you, and we’ve dedicated much of our lives to doing this work well,” Dunbar shared. “Let’s stay connected and face the year together.”
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