New Spring View Middle School principal is a familiar face

Spring View has a new head Eagle this year, but he's a familiar face on campus.Marty Flowers, former Spring View Middle School assistant principal, recently accepted the position to become the school's new principal. Flowers, 39, has worked and taught in the Rocklin Unified School District for 15 years. During that time, 11 years was spent teaching history and coaching basketball, football and golf at Rocklin High School, followed by four years as Spring View Middle School vice principal. During his four years at Spring View, he was under the leadership of Marge Crawford, who now holds the position of the district's middle school administrator in charge of curriculum, instruction and assessment. "I feel like I'm replacing a legend in Marge Crawford," Flowers said. But with Crawford still within the district, Flowers said she's just a phone call away for advice. During Flowers' role as vice principal, he said he became a disciplinary figure and said he's looking forward to a more positive role with students as principal. "I'm looking forward to trying to get more positive interactions with kids," he said. "I can be the good cop."As a Rocklin resident with two children attending Parker Whitney Elementary, Flowers said he doesn't mind seeing people at the grocery story or baseball games. "I think that's the way it's suppose to be," Flowers said. "Rocklin is a close-knit community, I value this community. I live in Rocklin, there's nothing I want more than to have safe and productive schools." His wife, Michelle, teaches biology and chemistry at Rocklin High School, where they first met during their first years of teaching 15 years ago. Flowers admitted to always being attracted to a teaching career and coaching student athletes. But he said he expected to stay in the role of teacher for 20 years before shifting into administration. With nudging from a few colleagues, Flowers said he was tempted to give an administrative role a try. Paul Carras, former deputy superintendent of RUSD and Phil Spears, former Rocklin High School principal, were both influential in Flowers' decision to apply for the Spring View Middle School vice principal position open four years ago. "They saw potential leadership early in my career," Flowers said. RUSD Superintendent Kevin Brown said he and the district members found Flowers to be an asset to Spring View. "As the assistant principal, he has honed his skills and developed the leadership qualities necessary to be successful," Brown said. "He has a wealth of knowledge in instructional practices, assessments and school operations."Brown said Flowers was a top candidate in part due to being highly respected by parents and teachers and well liked by students. Among Flowers' goals are to increase intervention programs for students, also known as second-chance learning, as well as to continue to have increased students' test scores, he said. At some point, Flowers also envisions moving his way up to a position within the district. But now, he's looking on to the upcoming school year, beginning Aug. 17. "I'm anxiously awaiting school to start," he said. "I'm just honored and feel very fortunate to be in the position I'm in."Lauren Weber can be reached at laurenw@goldcountrymedia.com.