Have you ever wondered what principals might do when they’re not at school? I interviewed the very famous Danny Harbert, a 10th grade principal at Cabell Midland High School. 

1. VL: Who is your hero? 

DH: My parents because we were just a middle-class family and they worked hard and earned everything they got. I think that they provided me a good example on what I got to do in life and seeing them go through the hardship, of money and work, really got me through a lot of things. 

1. VL: If you could live anywhere, where would it be? 

DH: I would say Florida because having great weather, 365.  I like to surf and play golf and in WV you can’t do much that you can do in Florida. 

1. VL: What is your biggest fear? 

DH: My biggest fear is the unknown, and not knowing what could happen to my kids. 

1. VL: What is your favorite family vacation? 

DH: Probably just going to Florida and navigating a lot of different places in Florida. 

1. VL: What would you change about yourself if you could? 

DH: My patience. I am a very impatient person. 

1. VL: What motivates you to work hard? 

DH: My parents and the way I was brought up and all the jobs I’ve had over the lifetime. As well as being able to provide for my family. 

1. VL: What is your favorite thing about your career? 

DH: I get to influence students in a positive way, and give students hope in desperate situations that they might have.  

1. VL: What is your biggest complaint about your job? 

DH: That I don’t get to focus enough on the students that don’t have discipline issues and focus on the students that do-good deeds. 

1. VL: What is your proudest accomplishment? 

DH: Being a dad.   

1.  VL: What makes you laugh the most? 

DH: Awkward moments. 

1. VL: What did you want to be when you were small? 

DH: I wanted to be a major league baseball player and a lawyer. 

1. VL: What would you sing at a karaoke night? 

DH: Bon Jovi “Living on a Prayer.” 

1. VL: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it? 

DH: Yeah, “D Harbs.” 

1. VL: Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not? 

DH: It honestly depends on if it is a good surprise or a bad surprise. 

1. VL: Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island? 

DH: I will have to default to my wife, but after a while I would want someone else. 

1. VL: If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? 

DH: Probably 1995 when I was in high school. Things were fun, and I didn’t have responsibilities. At the end of the day, it was probably the most fun I ever had. 

1. VL: How would your friends describe you?
 

DH: Outgoing, athletic, compassionate. 

1. VL: What are your hobbies? 

DH: I like to be active. So golf, cutting grass, football, surfing, and basketball are a few things I enjoy, 

1.  VL: What is the best gift you have been given? 

DH: Basically, eternal life through my faith. 

1. VL: What are two pet peeves? 

DH: When they have car ornaments, the antlers, or lashes on them, it drives me nuts. Also, people who drive slowly, mostly from Ohio. 

1. VL: Where do you see yourself in five years? 

DH: Working here at Cabell Midland as an assistant principal. 

1. VL: If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have? 

DH: To be able to fly to Florida whenever I want. 

1. VL: What would you do if you won the lottery? 

DH: I would buy a couple of houses in different places and give a lot of money to Cabell Midland and some charities. 

1. VL: If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be? 

 DH: I would want to move to Florida out of high school. 

1. VL: If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
 

DH: Definitely, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Cosner, Elon Musk, and Babe Ruth. 

 Even though we might think principals don’t have lives, Harbert can very well insure of the truth. I loved getting to know more about Mr. Harbert as a person, instead of just a principal.