Educator Spotlight: Meet HHS principal Brandon Bruce.

Hart High School Principal Brandon Bruce

Educator Spotlight: Meet HHS principal Brandon Bruce.

#HartPublicSchools

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – Brandon Bruce took over as Hart High School principal last July, following the retirement of Matt McDonald.

Bruce is excited to be a part of the “Pirate Nation” as many great things have been happening recently at HHS. The wrestling team brought home a state champion, Robbie Altland, and all-state wrestlers Noah Cantu with second place and Alex Holladay with seventh place. The boys basketball team made history by winning its first district title in 25 years with Dustin Klotz scoring 27 points to lead the way. Both the high school band and choir earned straight 1s in district competition.

The recent completion of the dazzling renovations at the high school is one of many other reasons Bruce has a job he loves.

He and his wife Amy moved into a home in close proximity to the high school – right behind the school’s baseball field, allowing the principal to walk to school every day.

The couple has two grown sons – Seth, who is graduating from Central Michigan University this May, and Chad, who is a freshman at Michigan Tech.

Bruce, a CMU alumnus, played football for the Chippewas. The administrator has a strong sports background. “I spent 23 years coaching football, basketball and track.” He’s also been a registered official for 15 years. Being a referee was enlightening. “It changed how I coached,” he said. He also taught physical education for 11 years.

An Upper Peninsula native, Bruce spent a year at Iron Mountain where he taught for a year. In Newberry, he transitioned from teaching to administration. He served as a part-time teacher, part-time administrator and head football coach.

He began his teaching career in 1996 in Charlevoix, where he taught for four years. He spent the bulk of his administration career in Union City, where he was a middle school principal for 11 years. Both of his sons graduated from Union City High School, which is located in southwest Michigan.

He and Amy have always “had an urge to get back close to Lake Michigan,” and the principal position at Hart fulfilled that. Amy also graduated from CMU with a teaching degree.

Bruce obtained his bachelor’s degree in education in 1995 and then a master’s degree in administration from CMU.

The principal is thrilled to have an excellent staff at Hart High School. “I’ve been in education for 25 years, and this group is the best,” he said. “It makes my job a lot easier.”

Bruce also feels blessed to have a great community. “This is a solid community that is committed to this school, and the school is the focal point of the community.”

This story is the first in a series spotlighting educators in Oceana County. Email editor@oceanacountypress.com if there is an educator you would like to suggest featuring.

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Tags: Hart Public Schools