News Release
Oct. 8, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Manary
[email protected]
415-933-9975
ICYMI: Fort Polk celebrates Louisiana Principal of the Year, Rosepine Elementary School's Carolyn Bosley
The following is a release from Fort Polk Public Affairs Office:


Fort Polk and Joint Readiness Training Center's Commanding General Timothy McGuire congratulates Carolyn Bosley, Vernon Parish educator and the 2015 Louisiana Principal of the Year during a celebration at the installation on Sept. 17.

By: Angie Thorne, Rest & Relaxation editor

FORT POLK, La. -- Fort Polk and Brig. Gen Timothy McGuire, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general, hosted a celebration Sept. 17 at Fort Polk's headquarters building to honor Carolyn Bosley, Rosepine Elementary School principal.

Bosley was recognized for her accomplishments in earning the Louisiana Department of Education title of Principal of the Year.
Fort Polk leadership and members of the Vernon Parish School Board and Leesville community gathered to help celebrate Bosley's accomplishment.

"This is an important event that represents the strong partnership we have with both the Vernon Parish School Board and area schools," said Col. David Athey, JRTC and Fort Polk garrison commander. "In the short time that I've been here, I've been nothing but impressed with the direction Vernon Parish Schools are going and it's reflective in the fact that we have the number one principal in the state here with us today," he said.

Fort Polk Progress chairman Mike Reese said that in his travels around Louisiana and around the country in his work with defense organizations, he's found that the Vernon Parish School system is looked upon with great envy.

"It's not just because of the exceptional results that they have in the classroom, but also because of their willingness to work as a team with Fort Polk and the local community," said Reese.

The celebration was made possible by the hard work of Carolyn Bosley, her family, faculty, students and parents, said James Williams, Vernon Parish School District Superintendant.

"You can't do something like this by yourself. It's been a team effort," he said. "This isn't an honor you achieve by just filling out a form and mailing it in," said Williams. "This is a big deal that began with a simple nomination, but grew into a complicated and intense process. She had to do a lot of paperwork that included data driven material, school and personal goals and her educational philosophy," said Williams.

After being chosen as a semi-finalist, a team was sent to Bosley's school and they followed her around to observe her and the school. Being the leader that she is, Williams said she took it all in stride and represented the Vernon Parish School District with pride.
As she continued to advance through each round of the competition, Williams said she continued to shine.

"Carolyn Bosley is a very hard worker. She is a dedicated educator and principal who cares about her students and we are proud of all she has accomplished," said Williams.

That exhaustive series of steps leading up to the completion of the competition was intense, according to Bosley. But the most difficult part of the competition, she said, was anticipating the interview at the state level.

"I knew there would be a panel interviewing me and I wanted to articulate my thoughts well. But in the end, the panel turned out to be the easiest task of all. It's kind of ironic that what I feared would be my hardest challenge ended up being the least stressful event of the whole competition," said Bosley.

Winning Principal of the Year for all of Louisiana is something that Bosley said still doesn't seem real.

"I didn't see it coming. After every step in the process, I would just think that it was nice to get this far, but at each level I moved on. It was all very exciting and still is. It feels amazing to win and I'm honored to have the recognition, but there are other principals in this district that are just as capable and deserving of the award. I feel like it's a win for all of us," said Bosley.

Once you reach the top, Bosley said there is a lot of pressure to maintain that level of excellence, but she said that doesn't deter her. In fact, there are already plans to continue improving her school's progress into the future.

"Our state scores just came in. We are classified as an 'A' school and that's great, but we aren't the top performing school in the parish. We want to be No. 1," she said.

To make sure that happens, Bosley said her school has looked at their weaknesses and what they need to do to make improvements.

"We've got a plan in place and have purchased a program to help identify skill gaps in our students," said Bosley. "Moving from one curriculum to another can create gaps in learning. A lot of kids can experience those gaps due to changing curriculums or moving from one school to another. We now have a program in place to identify and tackle those gaps."

This program will be especially beneficial to military children due to the fact that they move from one school and curriculum to another, she said. "We are very mindful of our military connections and how we can help because they mean so much to us. When those Families get ready to leave and others are coming in, we want them to be able to say wonderful things about our schools and communities," said Bosley.

As the proud father of four kids who have moved a lot and as the son-in-law, brother, husband and now father of educators, McGuire said he wanted to thank Bosley and all the other educators for all they have done for children and the country.

"Celebrating the Principal of the Year is what this event is all about," said McGuire. "Improving Rosepine Elementary from a 'C' school into an 'A' school in two years is amazing," he said. "Not every administrator could accomplish this task, but you eagerly embraced the assignment and passed expectations."

"Working together as a team and community to create comprehensive solutions, such as a quality education, is an important objective to make Fort Polk a Station of Choice," said McGuire. "As I go out to get the best and brightest, the fact that I can tell them we have the Principal of the Year will make a difference."
 
In appreciation for all she does, McGuire expressed gratitude for Bosley's ability to roll up her sleeves and make a difference in children's lives.

"She does this by looking for innovative ways to bring out the best in her students and going beyond conventional principles to create new strategies to help them grasp concepts and acquire skills. She finds ways to challenge learners, raise interest, spark curiosity and deems every child valuable," said McGuire.

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Fort Polk Progress is a regional community organization that takes a proactive stance against budget-driven U.S. Army troop reductions by maintaining relationships and partnering with decision makers in Congress, at the Pentagon and at the state level, ensuring that the most up to date information concerning Fort Polk and the surrounding communities is used in decisions concerning the base. In addition, Fort Polk Progress actively markets the base to the military as the most cost effective place to provide soldiers with the best training possible and strives to help ensure the best possible quality of life for soldiers, civilians and their families. Most recently, Fort Polk Progress has spear-headed an Education Initiative, which acknowledges exceptional educational achievements in the region and pursues continued excellence in education for military families throughout the region. 

 

For more information about Fort Polk Progress visit us on the web, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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