A closer look at C.R. Washington principal John Cline

CEDAR RAPIDS - Here is a closer look at the new principal at Cedar Rapids Washington High School:

CLINE'S PAST

Principal John Cline was born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., but grew up and spent most of his life in Charlotte, N.C.

Before graduating from high school in 1993, Cline was very big into cross country and track. He also was a member of the interact club, a science olympiad team, and a group called the Odyssey of the Mind.

After graduating, Cline attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he continued to run cross country and track. His senior year, 1997, Cline placed 19th at the NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championship, earning an All-American honors. He ran a 10K (6.21 miles) in 30 minutes and 3 seconds.

Cline went on to become a teacher, coach and administrator at Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. He is married and has three kids, Mary class of 2022, Elizabeth (8th grader) and John (3rd grader) and a dog named George.

CONNECTION WITH WASH

It seems to be a recurring theme that the Cedar Rapids Community School District hires principals from North Carolina.

They are even more connected than you might think.

'The principal at Kennedy is a really good friend of mine,” Cline said. 'We actually used to teach social studies together, many, many years ago at the same high school. Mr. (Jason) Kline came out here several years ago. I've always had a lot of respect for him as a teacher and an administrator. We kept in touch, and he mentioned that there was a job at Washington which was also his rival school. It was just a great opportunity and it is very similar to the school that he and I previously worked for many years, Myers Park High School.”

Cline has put his coaching years aside and is ready to be a spectator.

'I am happy to just be a parent and a fan after so many years of being an athlete and a coach,” he said. 'It's nice to just go and cheer for my kids.”

CLINE'S NEW CHAPTER

When asked what he has planned to change and implement at Washington High School, Cline said, 'I want to continue everything great that Washington does already, maintaining the strong academic, performing arts, athletics and extracurricular activities, making sure that we continue to be strong in all of those. We can improve in all of those areas because we want to be the best, not just in Cedar Rapids or Iowa, but the best anywhere.

'I think we have the faculty, the students, families and the leadership to make that happen. I think continuing the great successes that we have and even getting better in each area. Washington High School is already a well-oiled machine with a strong reputation, so I'm just looking to continue that and grow it is what I'd like to be able to do.”

Packing up and move more than 14 hours away from your home for a new job can be daunting, but Cline is excited for this new beginning - especially to see the growth at the end of the year.

'There are so many activities,” he said. 'There is always something going on that is exciting so it is hard to pinpoint one thing. If I had to say one thing, I would say the end of the year because that's when, you know, graduation is and seniors are able to see the results of their work. Also, each of our teachers and our students are able to see the growth throughout the year and reflect on that. So, I think that will be an exciting time.

'I'd say that I'm excited about .... so many things. Every week there is something to get excited about ...”

If there was one thing Cline would like everyone to know about him it is, 'Helping people to achieve goals they never thought were possible in the first place is what motivates me.

'So, helping, whether it's students or teachers or really anybody to achieve what they thought was unachievable. To think big and to work toward that goal. To just see that in people's eyes is what motivates me. It motivated me as a teacher, as a coach and as an administrator. It's a lot of fun to see people overcome obstacles and to achieve their goals. Seeing people succeed is what drives me.”

CLINE LIKES ...

Pancakes over waffles

Hamburger over Hot Dog

Beach over snow

HIS FAVORITE ...

Music artist: Blake Schwarzenbach

Book: non-fiction: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Fruit: Oranges

Sports Team: 'Tar Heels, of course” and the Carolina Panthers

Restaurant in CR so far: Edith Lucille's

Meal: Filet Mignon

Stranded on an island with anyone: My family

Hobbies: 'Anything sports-wise I would say I enjoy doing, except I do not play golf, pretty much anything else I'm game for.”

Fear: 'I am not a fan of snakes”