When you walk the halls or come out to an after-school event, it won’t take long to find Pulaski County High School Principal Jennifer Bolling right in the mix as she helps provide for not only the safety and security of the students, but also showing her Cougar Pride as she does all that.
Jennifer Bolling is another Pulaski County success story. She grew up here, attending Draper Elementary School, Pulaski Middle School, and eventually graduating from PCHS as a member of the Class of 1995. After graduation, Bolling went on to graduate from the University of Virginia at Wise in 2000.
On her return to Pulaski County, Mrs. Bolling began working as a paraprofessional at Pulaski Middle School. Mr. Joseph Reed, a longtime Pulaski County educator and administrator, suggested that she apply to become a special education teacher. She worked in that job for eight years at PMS, one at Riverlawn Elementary, then two more years at PCHS. She became an assistant principal at PCHS in 2012, and then became principal in 2020.
“My parents were both educators, so education was of great importance in our household,” Mrs. Bolling said. “My parents and my husband have undoubtedly been the primary sources of encouragement in everything. Luckily, too, I am surrounded by good people in all parts of my life, and feel encouraged by them all.”
Bolling said that her career path was not initially one that she considered.
“As a student, I never imagined that a career in education was ahead of me after growing up with two public educators as my parents,” she said. “After starting a career at Pulaski Middle School in 2001, I have been in Pulaski County Public Schools for 22 years. Throughout those 22 years, I have encountered opportunities that have allowed me to grow as an educator informally and through formal education.”
Working in public education has given Mrs. Bolling many memories.
“The first memory that comes to mind was from one of my first few years of teaching,” Bolling said. “A student in my seventh-grade math class looked at me one day and said, ‘Mrs. Bolling, you don’t look a day over 40.’ While that was kind in his mind, I was only 26 or so at the time. I still laugh when I remember the kind sincerity in his voice when he said that as a seventh grader.”
“There are several families whom I first taught in middle school and now get to work alongside those people as parents and guardians,” she continued. “I am appreciative of those relationships and love getting to see those former seventh graders as adults. While that isn’t a specific memory of sorts, the relationships over time have made for amazing memories.”
Like any job, the education field has its ups and downs. Being an administrator is no different.
“My entire administrative career has been at the high school level, and each year I appreciate the growth we get to be a part of during a student’s high school years,” Mrs. Bolling said. “Students arrive as ninth graders and there’s nothing that compares to watching a middle school student arrive on day one and then graduate into the world four years later. Knowing and appreciating that students are growing and learning while in high school allows us to be a part of those changes over time. It’s hard to put into words because it’s simply indescribable. It’s just an amazing job in general and I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity. I love working with students and parents to celebrate accomplishments, and I love working with parents and students to get beyond barriers to regain focus on graduation.”
Teaching or working in administration is also a very time-consuming profession. Working long hours outside of the normal school day are the norm. In addition to her normal daily duties, Mrs. Bolling and others regularly spend time monitoring and assisting at extracurricular activities such as sports or fine arts events. Many hours of planning also take place before or after normal school hours, but those hours pay off.
The return of an annual Homecoming Parade the past two years is a prime example of seeing that hard work pay off in a huge way. That parade was lauded as the largest parade anyone can remember in Dublin in the first year. This year, the parade was even bigger and ran much smoother, thanks to the cooperation between PCHS and the Town of Dublin staff.
“As far as challenges of the job, I feared that I couldn’t give the time needed to do the job well. Luckily, though, my family also has an internal investment in PCHS and love to be a part of the community as well. Because of my family and their commitment, the hours are of less worry, and instead just a part of our everyday life and we love it. As an administrator, I never look at the clock in hopes of time passing more quickly, but I’m always hoping for more time in the day to get as much done as possible.”
Looking toward the future, Mrs. Bolling is excited that many former students are returning to Pulaski County Public Schools as educators themselves. One of her many hopes is to see that continue and grow.
“Go for it, but know some moments will make you feel defeated,” she offered those potential educators. “On the flipside, though, the successes you get facilitate for students will override every moment of defeat multiple times over. If that’s where your heart is, then give your heart to public education.”
As for those who support her in her endeavors, Mrs. Bolling feels blessed with an amazing group.
“I say it frequently, but I am surrounded by good people in all parts of my life. PCHS is an amazing place to be and I work alongside people with the best hearts, and I am thankful for them all. Spending your days with teenagers isn’t for everyone, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! I leave there everyday being surrounded by more good people, my family and friends. Surround yourself with good people in everything you do.”