Background:
Superintendent Bolen is in his 16th year in public education, having
spent the first nine years in Florida, and the last seven with the
Bering Strait School District. His teaching career includes classroom
experience in high schools, school-to-work programs, and alternative
education. Dr. Bolen served two years as the Assistant Principal in
Savoonga, one year as the Coordinator of Federal Programs and
Professional Development in Unalakleet, and then three years as
Principal in Savoonga. He began
this school year as Principal in Saint Michael, before being named
Interim Superintendent in November. Dr. Bolen was officially named
Superintendent of the Bering Strait School District following the
February 10, 2015 Board meeting. Dr. Bolen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Florida, and a
Masters and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of
Central Florida. In addition, Dr. Bolen holds a Superintendent
Endorsement from the University of Alaska – Anchorage.
Dr.
Bolen leads and manages through collaborative decision-making and
facilitative delegation. He relies on dedicated professionals working
together to meet the best interests and needs of the students and
communities. Dr. Bolen holds individuals accountable for their actions
and decisions in keeping the best interests and mission of the district
at the forefront of their decision-making process. Dr. Bolen believes in
using current data to analyze, plan, and implement curriculums and
programs that are most beneficial to the school system. School
districts should engage in a cycle of ongoing self-assessment, designed
to be used for continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
Dr. Bolen believes that the Bering Strait School District is a special creation of each of its communities. Its
teachers, students, parents, counselors, and administrators should be
partners in learning with other members of the school community, and all
should be treated with dignity. All
are valued, honored, encouraged, and supported in their development.
There is no such thing as a district blueprint or a concrete
prescription for a good school or district. Dr. Bolen believes that
exemplary districts share powerful guiding principles that are widely
accepted even as they take different shapes in practice. With a clear
academic focus, teachers choose from a wide range of strategies to
promote student learning. A core set of skills and knowledge, for all
students, is clear and explicitly stated by teachers, students, parents,
and community members. They should all be able to answer the questions “What are you doing?” and “Why?”
Dr.
Bolen believes a district should hold itself accountable for ensuring
that all students can demonstrate quality standards in all knowledge
areas. It should use appropriate forms of assessment that reflect high,
public standards for learning and document student progress and
achievement. It should report frequently and publicly to parents and the
community on how well the district is meeting its stated outcomes.
Finally,
Dr. Bolen believes that it is the responsibility of every educator to
meet the unique educational, emotional, social, and physical needs of
our students. Never before has the responsibility been greater. Preparing students for the tasks of a new century and beyond is an awesome mission, and one that is not to be taken lightly.