By Linda C. Reynolds, '93

As a high school senior in 1974, Mike Caudill, ’78, walked across the gym floor of M.C. Napier High School in Perry County, Ky., shook the superintendent’s hand, then reached for his high school diploma. Now, he is the one awarding diplomas to seniors in Madison County (Ky.)

Mike Caudill dances with students at the "Passports to Adventure" summer school program at Mayfield Elementary School in Richmond, Ky.

Caudill’s parents stressed the importance of education, encouraging him to be the first family member to graduate from college. Now Caudill is the parent (and professional) stressing education. Named Superintendent of Madison County Schools in May 2001, Caudill is the youngest superintendent in the county’s history. He began teaching math at Berea’s Foley Middle School in 1983, and has served as a principal and district administrator.

He is also a cancer survivor. For a man who is used to planning his agendas, setting goals and leading by example, that’s one role he never anticipated. Diagnosed in May ’98 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Caudill is now in remission. Often the requested speaker for area clubs and local groups about his cancer success story, Caudill humorously calls himself the county "poster boy" and is happy to oblige.

He uses his own experience, as well as things he learned at Berea, "to make an impact on the schools, students, and community," he says. "I try to positively influence principals and teachers to make their schools the best learning environments they can be."In other words, he leads as a role model, like the ones he had at Berea.

"I never wanted to be in a college setting where I was just a number, or one of hundreds in a classroom,"he recalls. "At Berea, if you needed help, you asked for it and got it. Coming from a small high school (Dilce Combs) and a small eastern Kentucky town (Vicco, pop. 300), that was just what I needed as an incoming freshman."

He credits several teachers and advisors with influencing the person he is today. During his labor assignments as intramural manager, teaching assistant and tote box clerk, he learned from men’s basketball coach Roland Wierwille, former athletic director Bob Pearson, and Pearson’s wife, Pat. As a student in Pat Pearson’s health class, Caudill missed two classes back-to-back. "She sent me a note that said ‘don’t skip any more classes,’"he remembers. "I realized she cared enough to refuse to let me fail. That’s the kind of nurturing environment I found at Berea."

It’s the kind of environment he works to foster in his school district. Caudill teaches through leadership, directly influencing the principals, who in turn influence the teachers, who directly influence the students. However, he’s quick to point out that he isn’t someone who works from an ivory tower. "I try to be in the classroom observing instruction," he says. "I don’t want to lose the involvement with students, because being around them rejuvenates me."

Chris Lakes, ‘98, one of Caudill’s former eighth-grade math students at Foley Middle School, now works in Berea College’s student life department. "I never liked math, but Mr. Caudill changed my perspective by making the class bearable, even fun, instead of something I dreaded,"Lakes says. "I majored in education because I wanted to impact students the way he impacted me--turning my dislike for a subject into something positive."

One way Caudill copes with challenges is a healthy sense of humor. "I discovered in education that having a keen sense of humor and quick comebacks was an asset," he says.

"It’s helped me relate to people on many levels. I find it satisfying to work with a group that comes to me upset or angry and then leaves on a positive note."

Caudill and his wife, Lisa Pennington Caudill, ’78, were married in 1976 by campus minister Randy Osborne, assistant professor of philosophy and religion. When asked how the couple balances busy work and family schedules, Caudill responds, "Lisa and I are in the same field, and we share a passion for it. It’s what we do, we love it, we’re good at it, and we have a mutual respect for each other’s work." Their children, Erin, 18, and Steve, 15, have always accompanied them to school events, practices, and games. "When I left Foley, Steve thought he should have been named the principal because he had spent so much time at the school," Caudill laughs. "He was 13."

Caudill’s goals for Madison County schools include effective uses of technology, improved reading skills, more students in advanced placement classes, and equity for the diverse student population. "We need to be teaching in 2001 like it is 2021,"he says. "We are obligated to prepare students for jobs in a positive way."

In education, job satisfaction is not always immediate. Caudill explains it takes years after teachers have worked with students before they can see the positive influence they have been. "I’ve had men and women in their 20’s come up to me and thank me for something I did for them in middle school," he recalls. "At the time, I wasn’t sure if I was making a difference or not. Sometimes, it takes years for students to realize the impact educators have made on them." Seeing the challenges Caudill has overcome, his teachers can be sure they’re still making a difference through him.