Spotlight

Sean M. Virnig
K-12 Principal
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
Administrative licensure student

The first deaf principal of Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, Sean was born in St. Paul and grew up in Mendota Heights with his parents and siblings, all of whom are deaf. Sean attended the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault and graduated from the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. He studied Government and Education at Gallaudet University, the world’s only university for the deaf and hard of hearing, in Washington D.C., before attending the University of Minnesota for a Masters in Education. He has also taken classes at the University of California at Berkeley. Happily married to Anna, Sean and his wife are proud parents of Abigail, 3, and Ethan, 3 months. Sean and his family live in Eagan with two active Boston Terriers.

Are there any rules you live by?

It is a sin to be satisfied.

What unique qualities, responsibilities, and challenges do you face as principal of a school for the deaf?

As the saying goes, the apple does not fall far from the tree. I returned to the Academy as the principal who knows exactly what it takes to be successful at Minnesota’s only public residential school that encompasses every aspect of a successful student life. Having grown up on the same campus graced with several historic Greek Revival buildings surrounded by mature oak and maple trees atop a bluff, I share with all my students the same experience and responsibilities to become an articulate, responsible, and productive citizen.

Like I have done successfully, my students strive to attain both short- and long-term goals with zeal for life and knowledge through fruitful academic, social, and athletic opportunities at the Academy where communication barrier is virtually nonexistent. With all the opportunities and the freedom to communicate without hindrances, it is my challenge to maintain the uniqueness and character of the Academy that is incomparable to any other programs for the deaf and hard of hearing in Minnesota.

The challenge involves taking into consideration many factors to tailor academic and social programs for each and every student while maximizing interaction amongst educational staff and children from all walks of life. The natural interaction promotes American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture with respect for values, heritage, and arts of the Deaf in America. While doing so, I eagerly partake in challenges my students embrace to prepare themselves for the real world as we know it by immersing themselves in English language with books and some more books. Using both languages, ASL and English, the students also benefit from their daily interactions with signing educational staff who are hearing. It is the challenge in striking balance between the best of both worlds at the Academy that keeps me going.

What is your favorite part of being a principal?

Getting up every morning knowing that the day will not be the same as the day before excites me. The Academy is truly a dynamic place and that is what makes my job challenging and fascinating.

What is the most difficult part about being a principal?

There is always so much to do with so little time. As a caring husband and a young father who is the K-12 principal of a vibrant school, it has been a constant struggle to manage workload and lead educational staff and students. I have read and was told many times that I cannot be a leader and a manager at the same. I beg to differ!

If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?

I would love to teach a class or two. Although it is physically impossible for me to do so, I will be better attuned with teachers and students by doing so. I believe it is always important for me to be cognizant of what is going on in the classroom these days. To maintain the integrity of principalship, I have concluded that there is really only one way to do it and have since then made myself available to teach a class or two whenever possible.

Are you pleased with the choice of career you’ve made?

A resounding yes.

If you could be in any other profession, which profession would you choose?

Military intelligence.

Please reflect on insights into what it is like to be a deaf administrator constantly surrounded by hearing colleagues. What are the challenges and first hand insights you can share with us as to what deaf students and/or parents might feel when interacting with hearing administrators? How can we more inclusive in our interactions?

I am blessed with a wonderful team of deaf and hearing teachers and support staff who also participate in extra-curricular activities as coaches and sponsors. We have teachers who are deaf in all programs and they are instrumental in modeling what our students can become later in their lives. It is important to note that all educational staff, deaf and hearing alike, communicate fluently in ASL and they always communicate with deaf parents via ASL, TDD calls, e-mails, and so on. It has been very beneficial to have an administrator like me who can readily relate to almost everything my students and some of their deaf and hard of hearing parents experience. With communication issues aside, we are always ready to interact with our students and their parents so as to be more inclusive in their life-lasting experiences at the Academy.