TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Durant Principal Is There For Students

ADVERTISEMENT

By DEREK MAUL, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 2, 2008

EDITOR'S NOTE: This occasional series spotlights local school principals. This week's column features Pam Bowden, principal at Durant High School, 4748 Cougar Path, just off Turkey Creek Road. The school's telephone number is (813) 757-9075

PLANT CITY - Pam Bowden is in her fourth year as principal at Durant High School. Prior to taking the position she was assistant principal for five years. When the school opened in 1995, founding Principal Ron Frost established a school culture that values relationships and fosters a cooperative environment.

It's a tradition Bowden embraces.

Q. What makes Durant High School tick?

A. It's a great community. We're not that old but we have traditions. We set the bar high because we want our students to do well. Our motto is, "Where students pursue their dreams."

Q. How large is Durant High School?

A. This year enrollment is at 2,630. We have 140 teachers and close to 200 total staff.

Q. How do you stay in touch?

A. I do lunch duty every day; I serve food, mop up spills, talk to kids in line and just listen. I like to be there for kids. That's what I stress to my administration - you have to have a relationship with students.

Q. Is the community supportive?

A. We have concerned parents who want their children to be successful, to be college bound - they want more for their children. Our kids participate in everything. Dances, athletics, clubs and competitions - everybody shows up. It's the center of activity out here. That builds school spirit and kids want to be a part of it.

Q. Where were you raised?

A. I was born right here in 1961. My dad - Jim Redman - was a Plant City lawyer and state legislator Florida Rep. James L. Redman served from 1966-1978.

I attended Burney, Jackson, Burney-Simmons Sixth Grade Center, Marshall, Tomlin and Plant City High class of 1979.

Q. How about college?

A. USF 1983; I always knew I was going to be a teacher. I always had that gift of caring about kids. It's worked out great - it's been wonderful. I believe in God's timing and everything set the course for me to be here. It's been a great ride.

Q. And you married a teacher?

A. Yes, Bud Bowden, we married in 1980. Bud teaches drivers education at Plant City High. We have three children: Katie 23, Chip 19, Chelsea 13.

Q. Outline your career?

A. There were no teaching jobs when I graduated. So I taught drug prevention with the Mendez Foundation. Then in 1985, I was hired at Burney-Simmons Elementary and Cork. After maternity leave I ended up at Pinecrest Elementary and Trapnell Elementary; that's when I fell in love with this part of the county. I went to Turkey Creek around 1992 as PE teacher, then the human relations specialist, then assistant principal.

Q. Was administration your goal?

A. I always wanted to be an AP assistant principal. I liked the role of helping kids and I was really good at correcting them! You can fuss at them and put your arm around kids then help them move forward. I always wanted to be an AP - so I've surpassed my expectations.

Q. What makes a successful student?

A. A support group, ownership of the school, pride. If they have a home support group they're already way ahead. Our teachers go above and beyond.

Q. Has Plant City changed?

A. Lot's more people. Plant City is the biggest high school in the county; before that it was Durant. How odd is that? Sometimes I sit at a traffic light and I can't believe it.

Q. How are you involved in the community?

A. First Baptist. I volunteer at the Florida Strawberry Festival. I always join the kids' PTA.

Q. What do you do for fun?

A. Reading, spending time with my family, going to our lake place in Clermont, attending sporting events, working in my yard, and I do like to eat.

Q. If you could have lunch with anyone...?

A. George Bush. I'd like an update in the Middle East as I have a son at Army.

Q. Do you have a hero?

A. I always liked Babe Didrikson Zaharias Olympian and golfer.

Q. Do these kids give you hope?

A. Absolutely. They're so smart, there's no telling what they can achieve. Maybe someone here will find the cure for cancer, or diabetes, or be a good politician with backbone.

Is there someone you would like profiled? Call Derek Maul at (813) 245-2304 or e-mail him at derekmaul@gmail.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT