After deliberating over this past month, the AISD Board of Trustees completed the long process of choosing the new principal of Bowie. The current principal at Hudson Bend Middle School in Lake Travis ISD, Mark Robinson, will begin the position of Bowie’s head of staff for the 2017-2018 school year.

For most of Robinson’s career as a principal, he has worked in middle schools. However, his experience working within high schools has given him the confidence and experience to take on Bowie’s principal position.

“I have worked in secondary schools for most of my 20 year career in education,” Robinson said. “As the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction for three years at Lake Travis High School, I was responsible for the master schedule, testing and graduation plans.”

The many differences between working at the middle school level versus high school level is not daunting for Robinson, but rather something he eagerly anticipates

“There is always something going on: high-level learning, college and career readiness, athletics, and fine arts performances,” Robinson said. “I am looking forward to supporting all students in reaching their potential and achieving great things together.”

According to Lake Travis ISD’s Superintendent, Brad Lancaster, Robinson is excellent for the position.

“His focus and attention, as well as his ability to tell the many success stories of his students and staff, will serve Mr. Robinson well as principal of Bowie High School,” Lancaster said.

Robinson plans on receiving much feedback, thoughts, and information from AISD staff, students, and community when transitioning to Bowie.

“I know that in making the adjustment to being a high school principal in AISD, I will draw not only on my experience, but also will rely on the feedback from students, staff, and parents as we grow together,” Robinson said.

When it comes to his qualities as principal, Lancaster believes Robinson exceeds in communication above all else.

“Mr. Robinson has a very positive and highly-effective working relationship with his staff, parents, and the greater Hudson Bend community,” Lancaster said. “But most importantly, he has an exceptional relationship with his students.”

Robinson has many accomplishments from his time at Hudson Bend, including being the principal of a School to Watch in 2014 and 2017.

“[Because of Robinson] we are a model middle school, present at conferences, and have teams from other middle level campuses visit to learn about our programs and initiatives,” Hudson Bend Middle School Assistant Principal Amanda Toon said.

Not only has he accomplished much for the school, but also for its community.

“In particular, he has really helped bring the community in to collaborate with the staff and students on campus,” Toon said. “Our connection with the Parent Teacher Organization [PTO] and the community in general has expanded greatly while he has been principal here.”

When approaching Bowie’s possibilities and challenges, Robinson views it in a broader context involving the whole picture to get to an end goal.

“Mr. Robinson looks at the big picture,” Toon said. “It’s like a map. He knows where the campus needs to go, but also knows that there are many different and interesting ways to get there.”

Staff involvement is vital in Robinson’s opinion when trying to reach such goals.

“Staff know that they can propose ideas and suggest a path on how to accomplish them and be supported while they implement it,” Toon said. “He tells staff often to try new ideas because it is better to ‘fall forward’ than not try at all.”

However, students come first when Robinson leads.

“I believe in providing opportunities so that all students are able to be successful,” Robinson said.

To make this possible, Robinson plans on getting help from everyone.

“Through strong collaboration which includes administration, faculty, students, and the community working together as one, [we will] ensure student learning is the highest priority,” Robinson said.

In order to be named the new principal, Robinson went through several steps that made up the selection process.

“After I applied on-line, I was selected for a series of three interviews with different groups representing the Bowie school community and AISD,” Robinson said. “I created an entry plan that outlined my work as principal for the first 100 days, taking into consideration the campus strengths and current data.”

The selection process was designed by the AISD Human Resource Department and later presented to Bowie’s Campus Advisory Council (CAC) which involved an interview committee consisting of three parents and three faculty/staff members.

“The committee focused its efforts on carefully reviewing and familiarizing ourselves with the staff-and-community-generated profile,” Selection Committee Member and Bowie AP United States History teacher Ruth Ann Widner said.

The interview process was mapped out by what the profile was requesting of a principal.

“Using the profile as a guide, the committee developed interview questions that would allow us to elicit meaningful responses from the applicants,” Widner said.

After the interviews of the six candidates were complete, the AISD Human Resource Department presented the top three candidates.

“The Superintendent and Associate Superintendent interviewed the three final candidates and made the decision to offer the position to Mr. Robinson,” Widner said.

At first, Widner felt honored yet unsure of the responsibility she now held.

“Initially, I was apprehensive about the responsibility and the process, but after participating in the interviews, I was moved by the commitment, creativity, enthusiasm, and passion for students that all the candidates possess,” Widner said.

Despite the final selection and feeling confident in it, Widner understands the change a new principal will bring next year.

“I think change is always difficult, particularly if the new leader is perceived as an ‘outsider’ to Bowie,” Widner said. “My hope is that he will honor the strengths that already exist and offer fresh insight.”

Reflecting on her year as Interim Principal, Susan Leos will continue to support Bowie through the year and welcome Mr. Robinson to the campus.

“I have had the fortune to work with incredible students, caring parents, wonderful teachers, and the best community of learners in Austin,” Leos said. “It is my personal goal in the months ahead to support our students, staff, and parents in working with our new principal.”

As Robinson becomes acquainted with the Bowie community, he keeps in mind what awaits him in the year to come.

“I know that [Bowie] is an outstanding school with great students and a phenomenal faculty,” Robinson said. “I understand that high expectations are placed on a school with so many strengths and I’m confident that we will continue to cultivate a culture of excellence.”