For Coloma High School educator and coach Mike Churchill, his current mission of helping children find their footing in life is rooted in a very simple desire — to give his students the same opportunities he received at their age.

During his formative years, Churchill said that neither scholastic nor athletic success came easily to him. It was only with the support of his teachers, coaches, and, perhaps most importantly, his parents, that he was able to achieve the success he’s had thus far.

“My parents always had my back, and I figure I owe that same dedication to my wife, my children and my students,” Churchill said. “They all deserve my support.”

He is now taking this philosophy from the classroom of Coloma to the front office of Dowagiac Union High School, as he has been named assistant principal of the high school. Churchill succeeds Kelly Millin, who will take over as principal of the building this upcoming school year.

“It’s going to be tough change to make, being from Coloma, a district I’ve been devoted to for many years, both as a teacher and a student,” Churchill said. “However, I feel that Dowagiac is a very dynamic school system that’s changing for the better.”

Born and raised on his family’s farm in Coloma, Churchill learned the value of hard work from an early age, spending his summers running out-of-state farmer’s markets for the past 17 years. Graduating from Coloma High School in 2000, Churchill attended Western Michigan University, where he initially studied to become an athletic trainer. However, he later changed course, graduating with a teaching degree in English and physical education.

“I realized that I wanted to have a greater interaction with students,” he recalled. “Teaching seemed like a more logical and fulfilling path to take.”

Churchill returned to his alma mater in 2007, this time as a teacher. The transition from student to educator was rocky for him at first, he said.

“I became a peer of many of the teachers I had in school,” Churchill said. “I found that I had a lot of proving to do. I had to prove to them that I had what it took to be a teacher, a coach and a mentor.”

One role that Churchill had little trouble adjusting to was that of a leader, both as a teacher in the classroom and as a coach on the football field and track.

“Being able to work with kids, on a professional level, came very naturally to me,” he said.

Something the educator prides himself on is his honesty with his charges, on building a relationship with them based on mutual trust, he said.

“I always follow through with my word,” Churchill said. “I’m very honest with my students. They deserve to be treated as young adults.”

That level of honesty between staff and students is one of the areas that Churchill said attracted him to Dowagiac Union Schools. When he heard of the opening in the high school administrative office, he pursued the opportunity to advance to the next stage of his career, he said.

“This is a very exciting opportunity, and I feel like this is where I belong,” he said. “I’m here for a purpose.”

Despite jumping into an unfamiliar role, Churchill said he is more excited than he is apprehensive about the coming school year, and is looking forward to meeting and building a relationship with students and staff.

“I want to thank Dowagiac Union Schools and the community for having trust in me, for taking a shot with me,” he said. “That means a lot to me, and I want to exceed their expectations.”