[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 126 (Wednesday, August 5, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6376-S6377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MIKE MCCARTHY

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the hard 
work and dedication of Michael McCarthy, the principal of King Middle 
School in Portland, ME, who has served for 27 years and is moving on to 
a much deserved retirement. Mike has left a remarkable legacy and his 
hard work and dedication will continue to help Maine students for years 
to come.
  About one-fifth of King Middle School's students speak a native 
language other than English, 28 different languages in all, and 
students at the school come from 17 countries. More than half of the 
student body qualifies for free or subsidized lunch. Such factors can 
often contribute to poor academic performance, and for many years, 
parents did not view King Middle as a viable institution for their 
children. That view changed when Mike McCarthy took over 27 years ago.
  Mike possesses the qualities required of a strong leader. He is 
intelligent, but understands he may not always have the right answers, 
making him a good listener. He is dedicated to his students and 
faculty, and makes decisions that benefit the entire community. As a 
former teacher, Mike understands the classroom atmosphere and devotes 
his time to creating a positive learning environment. Perhaps most 
importantly, Mike is willing to take risks.
  Under Mike's leadership, King Middle School was one of the first 
schools in Maine to embrace 1:1 digital learning. This new approach 
helped to put technology in the hands of his students and teachers, and 
helped to open doors and unlock new potential in and out of the 
classroom. Mike also had the courage to implement an innovative 
approach called the Expeditionary Learning model, through which groups 
of teachers and students work together on

[[Page S6377]]

hands-on projects that require them to have an understanding of many 
different disciplines. He also has demonstrated the courage to do what 
he thought was right, even when decisions were controversial. His 
approach earned him the respect of the teachers and the entire school 
community, and it has helped turn King Middle School into a real 
success story.
  I cannot say enough good things about Mike and his impact on King 
Middle School, the city of Portland, and Maine education as a whole. 
When I recently convened a panel of Maine educators to share their 
perception on reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 
Mike brought his strong voice to the table. His has always been an 
invaluable perspective. Through his experience and input, educators 
across Maine are better off as they work--just like Mike--to broaden 
their students' horizons and prepare them for success in a rapidly 
changing world.

                          ____________________