Managing a building full of four to six year olds would leave anyone begging for nap time. For newly appointed Connally Early Childhood Center Principal Christy Bowling, however, it is just part of the job.
Bowling returns to CISD after spending the past two years in Midway ISD serving as an assistant principal. She previously worked at the CECC for three years as the campus’s counselor.
“This really feels like the dream job for me,” Bowling said. “My background is in early childhood education, so I love the idea of fully immersing myself in the world that I feel most comfortable in.”
Bowling’s return to Connally was part of a larger administrative switch throughout the district. When former primary school principal Marlo Moore retired at the conclusion of the 2022 - 2023 school year, Misty Gerik, then principal of the CECC, took her spot. That moved the administrative opening to the Early Childhood Center’s campus.
“I was so excited to find out that Mrs. Bowling applied for this position,” superintendent Jill Bottelberghe said. “Knowing that we have hired someone that has previously worked and grown as a leader on that campus inspires great confidence. I have no doubt that she will do a fantastic job.”
The challenges and opportunities that come from working with the youngest age groups are not foreign to Bowling. She spent 10 years as a kindergarten teacher before moving into administrative roles.
“There is no one tried and true secret for finding success in early childhood education,” Bowling said. “What I love about working with this age group is that they are always willing and excited for new learning opportunities. When teachers work to plan out those opportunities, the progress kids make is unbelievable!”
As preparations for the upcoming school year continue, the staff members at the CECC are excited to welcome Bowling back on their team.
“I am absolutely ecstatic to work with Mrs. Bowling again,” CECC administrative assistant Tracy Tynes said. “Everything about her makes her great for this role: she’s cheerful, she’s friendly, and she is always willing to work to help us out.”
Bowling recognizes that other administrators might be intimidated by the prospect of managing a building with such a wide range of developmental levels. As she moves into her first year as a head principal, however, she feels confident that she can handle the job.
“I feel comfortable stepping into this role because I know that I am surrounded by an excellent team of faculty and staff,” Bowling said. “This campus found tremendous successes last year, and I am eager to watch as we take the next steps forward.”