Farmington Principal Named National Distinguished Principal of the Year

West Woods Upper Elementary School Principal Alicia Bowman has been named National Distinguished Principal of the Year through the 2015 Connecticut Association of schools and National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Bowman helped develop systems through faculty teaming, instruction rounds, data decision-making and high quality instruction in classrooms.

Bowman and other Farmington collegues were highlighted in School-Based Instruction Rounds. She helped develop improvement cycles through collaborative classroom observations and analysis.

She has been a teacher, teacher leader and assistant principal in Farmington previously.

“Ms. Bowman is a dynamic leader who has collaborated with her students, faculty, and parents to transform teaching and learning at WWUES to align with Farmington Framework for Teaching and Learning (FTL) and Vision of the FPS Graduate (VoG),” said Superintendent Greider. “With this type of teaching and learning model, students develop academic, socially, emotionally and physically in a highly engaging 21st century learning environment.”

Greider added that Bowman has a natural ability to bring students and adults together to build strengths.

“I am so honored to be recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the National Association of Elementary School Principals as the lead learner and principal of West Woods Upper Elementary School,” Bowman said. “This humbling distinction reflects the collective efforts and deep commitment of the entire school community—students, parents, teachers and staff. As the CT and National Elementary Principal of the Year, I am inspired to continue to realize the vision of supporting all students in becoming leaders of their own learning at West Woods, in Farmington and beyond.”

BOE Chair Mary Grace Reed said she has seen Bowman grow as a first-year teacher in Farmington and she has served as an exceptional example in everything she has done.

Her passion, drive, persistence and care for every child have been a beacon of hope and innovation for her students and our entire district. I cannot think of a better choice than Ms. Bowman as the CT and National Distinguished Principal of the Year,” Reed said.

Bowman joined Farmington Public Schools as a 6th grade teacher and later became a math resource teacher and literacy specialist. She became assistant principal of the school in 2008 and principal in 2010.