Back before he was the principal, John Gould loved to teach — so much, in fact, that he taught at over 10 colleges in addition to several different area high schools.

“People ask me what I’d be doing if I wasn’t a principal — I’d go back to the classroom,” said Gould, who is coming off his first year as the head of Dartmouth High School.

Gould, who is originally from Hull, now lives in Medway with his wife, Laura, and his children, Mary Kate, 13, and Jack, 9. Before coming to town, he’d spent four years as the assistant principal at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham. Before that, he was the Dean of Students at Groton-Dunstable Regional. He was also a Social Studies coordinator in Dedham in addition to nine years of teaching at Quabog Regional High School.

Recently, Dartmouth Week Editor Nick Walecka had a chance to sit down with Gould to reflect on the past year at the high school and to discuss what Gould expects for the years to come in Dartmouth.

Nick: How were things in your first year?

John: It was a cultural year. I’m really excited about the faculty. I’m excited about the students. They are great. I feel that it’s been such an honor to be named the principal at DHS, and I think and I hope that I’ve done justice by them.

Nick: After spending time all over the state, how do you like being in Dartmouth?

John: I feel blessed when I look at this building. My doors are always open, and there are some very kind people here in Dartmouth. And I’m very encouraged by how well- behaved our students are.

Nick: What has your interaction with parents been like?

John: You have to listen, and you have to ask their opinions. The local folks have a lot of really good ideas. And we have those conversations. Some people call those focus groups. I call them conversations.

Nick: What’s one of your main goals as principal?

John: It’s about helping people. I recently crafted a student handbook, and I told the students, “Don’t see this as a rigid set of rules. See this as positive work habits.” If you can explain to kids why their conduct isn’t a good work habit, I think they’ll understand that. That’s what I try to do.

Nick: What do you expect for next year?

John: Going to my second year, I’m excited. I'm excited to be going forward with a permanent superintendent in Bonny Gifford. I’m very encouraged by the conversations that we’ve had. I also plan on focusing on teaching and learning. Where is the teaching and learning happening? I want to expand my understanding of that.