“Every student. Every day,” is an important, and enormous, mission statement, but with Adam Bowen representing the administration at New Buffalo Elementary School as Principal, it is achievable. Only in his fifth year in administration at NBES, the impact he has made in this school system has been grand, positive, and permanent. The announcement of him being chosen as the 2022 MEMSPA Principal of the Year is not surprising to anyone.
“Adam has created a family-like atmosphere that makes students feel secure and safe, which encourages them to take risks in their learning. He knows every student by name and engages with students frequently throughout the day,” says NBAS Superintendent Dr. Michael Lindley.
The Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association SET/SEG Principal of the Year Award acknowledges contributions to: the well-being of the educational community, contributions to a positive environment, motivating and inspiring others, achievement in the community, recognition of leadership by the community, orderly and purposeful school leadership, and student achievement.
This state-wide network exists to support children by building remarkable leaders, creating principals who are engaged, confident, and diligent in supporting their peers. Nominations for this award are submitted by a peer or colleague MEMSPA member, and nominees are unaware that they have been submitted for the honor.
An outpouring of praise and congratulations from his peers, colleagues, and parents has been nonstop since the award ceremony that took place on Thursday evening, December 8th:
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- “We are SO fortunate to have Adam Bowen as our principal. He sets the tone of acceptance and support for the school community.”
–Harbor Country Rotary Club - “Our children are constantly coming home relaying stories of interactions with Mr. Bowen during the school day… He is a dependable, approachable, forward-thinking administrator that is impacting lives for the better, every day.”
– Ashlee Croskey, Elementary parent - “Adam wants what is best for the children and pushes us to become better teachers so we can be better for our students… In particular, his focus and enthusiasm for PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) and Social Emotional Learning has been inspiring. We are teaching our students to be good people.”
–Karen Muckey-Martinez, teacher at NBES
- “We are SO fortunate to have Adam Bowen as our principal. He sets the tone of acceptance and support for the school community.”
What makes New Buffalo Elementary the right fit for Mr. Bowen? “The staff, the students, and the community of New Buffalo – It’s such a warm, welcoming environment that anyone would love to be a part of,” Adam says. A New Buffalo native, he holds his degrees from Western Michigan University, and has been at New Buffalo Elementary since 2006. He became the NBES principal in 2017.
Adam is a father, a husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend, but most importantly, he is an example. His title as principal is not just a position he holds in his career, but an opportunity for him to make a difference in the lives of his students; to focus on their success. The relationships he has cultivated throughout the community has built a wide and solid base for the future of this school system.
Under Adam’s leadership, New Buffalo Elementary School was awarded the title of National Blue Ribbon School in 2020, one of only fifteen schools in Michigan to be awarded that year. This honor celebrates school excellence and recognizes outstanding school accomplishment, while displaying how faculty, educators, families, and administration can ‘work together in trust’ for the betterment of our children.
“It’s no surprise to see Adam going viral with a snow day song, grilling hot dogs with students, and dancing down the hallways to keep his kids excited,” says MEMSPA. “Adam has undoubtedly earned the honor of Principal of the Year. We are excited to support him in this new title, and so proud to call him a colleague and friend.” Congratulations, Principal Adam Bowen – your district is proud of you!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
