Laura Bullock

Idabel Middle School Principal Selected as OASSP/OMLEA Middle Level Principal of the Year 

Mar 10, 2021 Will Parker


Principal Laura Bullock

March 10, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 10, 2021) – The Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP) and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association (OMLEA) are pleased to announce Laura Bullock of Idabel Middle School as the Middle Level Principal of the Year. Bullock will be recognized at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Leadership Conference this June.

“We are excited to celebrate Mrs. Bullock's selection as the OASSP/OMLEA Middle School Principal of the Year,” said Doug Brown, superintendent at Idabel Public Schools. “She is a great example of what building a collaborative culture between teachers and parents can do to improve the learning environment. Idabel Public Schools ‘Prepares Champions for Life,’ and Mrs. Bullock has been a foundational block in leading academic improvements and creating a positive atmosphere at Idabel Middle School.”

Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA executive director said, “Laura Bullock builds student leaders and trusting relationships. With her positive ‘we can do this’ attitude, teachers and students feel inspired to achieve goals and overcome obstacles. Congratulations to Laura Bullock as the OMLEA Middle School Principal of the year. We love her championship mindset for student success.”

During her ten years as principal at Idabel Middle School, Bullock has led efforts to increase student well-being and academic growth.  Working with her faculty and students, Bullock formed a leadership team and an advisory group. Together they set out to improve culture beginning new advisement groups called PRIDE (Preparing Responsible Individuals Determined to Excel). They also wrote, "The Warrior Pledge" with a focus on cultivating pride in self, school, and community.

Idabel Middle School has had a strong focus on closing achievement gaps. They utilize data teams to review formative and summative assessments; they regularly review student and teacher absenteeism, and they consistently provide learning interventions. Department and grade level meetings are focused on standards, with intervention and remediation promptly administered. They have doubled efforts on communication with parents, and the district has added a truancy officer. As a result, student achievement has seen marked improvement during Bullock’s tenure.

Stephanie Armstrong, a teacher at Idabel Middle School, explained, “Mrs. Bullock has empowered students and adults to assume various leadership roles. She created a Principal's Advisory Committee. Students are encouraged to hold leadership positions. Teachers regularly lead professional development, sharing what they have learned throughout their experiences and conference attendance. Both faculty and students serve on the Safe Schools Committee and in a committee centered on health and fitness. She encourages us to be our best!”

“It is an honor and privilege to be recognized for this award,” said Bullock. “I can say with confidence our school has a caring, nurturing, safe environment where students and teachers are empowered to set goals, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential. We dare to stay on the cutting edge of research, strategies, and technology. Sometimes it works and sometimes we fail, but from failure comes strength and the desire to improve. We proudly ‘Prepare Champions for Life’.”

“Our superintendent, Doug Brown, challenges us to set the bar even higher and to make our entire district a cohesive group with a championship mindset,” Bullock said. “Over the years we have expanded our reach to partner with more community agencies, DHS, Choctaw Nation, and Youth Services, to truly meet the needs of our students. These agencies now work with us to provide information, resources, and awareness about setting goals and making good choices in relationships, academics, and life.”

"Laura Bullock is a caring, dedicated school leader,” said William Parker, OASSP/OMLEA executive director. “The role of a principal is pivotal for student success, and Ms. Bullock is a great example of how hardworking principals across the state are helping their schools. She has heart for student well-being and a commitment to academic excellence. Ms. Bullock is a role model for principals statewide.”

In addition to being recognized at the CCOSA Summer Leadership Conference, Ms. Bullock’s award will include attendance at one of the national conferences for secondary principals in 2021-2022.

For more information about OASSP, OMLEA and the Principal of the Year Awards, please visit www.ccosa.org.

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ABOUT OMLEA

The Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association (OMLEA)works to improve the educational experiences of young adolescents by providing vision, knowledge, and resources to all who serve them in order to develop healthy, productive and ethical citizens. OMLEA is an affiliate of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) and a constituent association of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA).

 

ABOUT OASSP

The Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP) supports secondary level principals by providing quality professional development, encouraging advocacy and networking for the improvement of middle and high school education in Oklahoma.  OASSP is an affiliate of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and a constituent association of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA).

 

ABOUT CCOSA

The Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration is an incorporated, not for profit organization which establishes close and continuous communication and cooperation between educators, taxpayers and legislators to improve the effectiveness of professional school administrators and to communicate the needs of the schools. The Council is the umbrella organization for the following professional associations: the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA), the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP), the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP), the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association (OMLEA), and the Oklahoma Directors of Special Services (ODSS).