AMY SZPARA

PHOTO: MICHAEL COBURN, Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School principal, is preparing to move into the position of Superintendent of Schools for St. John the Baptist Parish. “I’ve come a long way, from football coach to superintendent,” Coburn says. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) The parking lot of the school was full. Up front, a shiny pick-up held its place in front of a sign that read, “Don’t even think of parking here.” That space was reserved for the principal, and he was in. The front office was bustling. The secretary answered the phone and greeted the caller. A custodian passed through, shining the place up with the daily cleaning routine. A handful of children sat in chairs outside the room which housed their disciplinarian. That is what Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School principal Michael Coburn is: a disciplinarian who is stern, but fair, with the students at his school. One by one, he addressed those who had misbehaved in some way. He fussed at the boy who wasn’t wearing his uniform right. He lectured the student who had disrupted a school assembly. He talked to a mother about what needed to be done with her child. He popped out of his office in a flash to handle a problem that a substitute teacher was having. After things settled down, the busy principal took a seat behind his desk and looked at his schedule for the day. It was very full. Surrounded by pictures of his wife, children, his many plaques and the photographic memories of Mardi Gras balls and carnival parades with Krewe du Monde, Coburn talked about how he will soon be taking on an even bigger role than principal of a magnet school. Coburn will soon be superintendent of schools for St. John the Baptist Parish, and with that title comes much responsibility, something he said he is ready for. He said he has always loved education, always wanted to work in that area. The Louisiana native grew up in the small town of Wisner, where he graduated from high school and met his wife, Karen. After graduation, he attended Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, where he received a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and a master’s degree in education in administrative supervision. With more than 20 years in education, the new superintendent began his career as a teacher and coach at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. Coburn moved to LaPlace in 1981, where he began teaching and coaching at East St. John High School. From there, he moved up to athletic director for the school, then principal. After working for the school board from 1993 to 1995, Coburn began as principal at the magnet school. In June, he will take over as superintendent for the parish. Coburn is also involved in the community, such as his involvement in the LaPlace Rotary Club, where he has served in various capacities for the organization, and also in the Lion’s Club. He is also active with Krewe du Monde. He is in the process of meeting with current superintendent, Chris Donald-son, and the school board, to determine the best manner for him to begin transition into his new position. An interim principal is expected to move into Coburn’s position at his school soon. Coburn said he loves the parish he lives in and has served for the past 20 years. “The people are friendly, nice, kind. We’ve never had any inkling to leave,” he said. In the past four years at Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet, Coburn has implemented mandatory uniforms, making his school the first in what he calls “a domino effect.” He also started a sports program at the school. “Being the old coach that I am, I implemented sports here,” he said. Coburn said outside of education, his love lies with God, his family, in sports and his community. “I love all sports of all kinds,” he said. “Being involved in the community has always been important to me. I also love to cook. My specialty is barbecuing. We have a block party at my house on the Fourth every year. My specialty is barbecue ribs.” Ready to move in and start making decisions which will move the school system forward, Coburn said, “I will tell you like it is. That’s the kind of person I am. I also think it’s very important to look two to three years down the road. St. John is doing a lot of good things, and we need to keep moving forward.”