Meet Terry Flint, Grosse Pointe South's New Assistant Principal

Terry Flint arrived at only a few weeks before the first day for students and despite having a lengthy to-do list, he couldn't wait for their arrival.

"The kids," he said, "they give me life."

Flint is the newest assistant principal at Grosse Pointe South, joining two others along with the new principal, Matt Outlaw. Flint will oversee the curriculum schedule, teacher evaluations, attendance and discipline for this year's freshman and senior class.

Most recently, he worked for six years as an assistant principal in Grosse Ile and for 15 years prior to that in L'Anse Creuse, where he taught math and science.

Flint describes his move from Grosse Ile to South as a whirlwind. When he saw the job opening early this summer, he jumped at the opportunity, he said, noting the reputation that precedes Grosse Pointe South in the local academic world.

He loved teaching and found "effectively delivering the curriculum to be fun" in the classroom setting but ultimately, he enjoys the "wider sphere of influence" he has as an administrator in the sense that he can help more students than a single classroom.

His goal for his first year at South is to develop many relationships  with teachers, students and other administrators, he said, noting his intentions to attend the many after-school functions, plays, performances and games.

He believes relationships are the key to being an effective leader.

The relationships he developed in Grosse Ile will be missed, he said, but noted that it's likely he'll be running into former students around town as he lives there.

He planned a good-bye meeting with some of his Grosse Ile students who served on the student council—an organization he oversaw.

On a personal level, Flint enjoys working out, spending time with his family and being involved with his church.

Flint has been married to his high-school sweetheart, Nancy, for 31 years. He was a football player and she was a cheerleader at L'Anse Creuse High School in 1978. The couple is pictured in their respective uniforms on the field in a photograph in Flint's office.

Photographs of their four adult children line the windowsill of his office. Flint said they have six grandchildren, whom they see often and with whom they enjoy spending time.