Mckinney Courier-gazette > News
Keith Bollinger returns to principal’s desk at McKinney Christian Academy
Keith Bollinger said he is glad to be back as the upper school principal at McKinney Christian Academy. Bollinger, who was in the position during his first five years at MCA, stepped down last year to concentrate on teaching and athletics. This photo and more are available through MyCapture at www.scntx.com. Photo: Stefanie White/McKinney Courier-Gazette
By Stefanie White, McKinney Courier-Gazette
For Keith Bollinger, returning to the principal’s desk at McKinney Christian Academy after a one-year break to focus on sports and teaching has been a welcome homecoming.
“I enjoyed my time away because it gave me an opportunity to teach,” Bollinger said. “But I’m also glad to be back.”
During his first five years at MCA, Bollinger tackled jobs as athletic director and upper school principal. Last year, he decided to drop the principal’s job to focus on teaching and duties as athletic director.
“It was getting overwhelming with all the responsibilities,” Bollinger said. “I loved sports, and I thought the athletic director was a role I was more suited to do.”
Last year’s principal was Earl Hammons, who resigned to pursue other career options. Bollinger said Hammons was well-liked by the students during his year as upper school principal.
“Mr. Hammons was personable, a good, happy man that the kids got along with,” Bollinger said.
This year, Bollinger’s focus will be serving as upper school principal and continuing to coach varsity boys basketball.
Bollinger’s roots in private Christian education go back to his childhood years as young student.
“I went to a Christian school as a kid,” Bollinger said.
After getting his degree in history from Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater, Fla., Bollinger decided to pursue private Christian education as a career.
“This is my 20th year in education, and all 20 years have been spent in private Christian schools,” Bollinger said. “I felt the most comfortable staying in the Christian-school arena.”
To kick off the school year, which started on Wednesday, Bollinger said the high school students are attending a retreat until today. Bollinger said he wants the students to be able to bond outside of school.
“We’re going to do small-group and large-group fun times,” Bollinger said. “You’re not just in your clique.”
Bollinger said he has several goals for the school year. One is making sure the high students enjoy their time at school.
“I want the kids to like MCA and be proud,” Bollinger said. “My goal is they enjoy the place they go to school.”
During the year, Bollinger said he would like to have the students participate in community service days.
“I want the kids to know you get to give as much as you receive,” Bollinger said.
Bollinger said he would like to make some strides and growth this upcoming school year. So far, he has a lot of good things to work with.
“I’ve heard nothing but positives, especially from parents,” Bollinger said. “They’re glad we’re kicking off with a focus.”
Like headmaster and head football coach Kevin Fields, Bollinger will do double duty as basketball coach and upper school principal. But, he said, it’s a task he doesn’t mind.
“It gives us, as administrators, an opportunity to be involved in a down-to-earth role,” he said. “That’s what makes this school special.”
Contact staff writer Stefanie White at swhite@acnpapers.com. To post comments online, access this story at www.scntx.com.
“I enjoyed my time away because it gave me an opportunity to teach,” Bollinger said. “But I’m also glad to be back.”
During his first five years at MCA, Bollinger tackled jobs as athletic director and upper school principal. Last year, he decided to drop the principal’s job to focus on teaching and duties as athletic director.
“It was getting overwhelming with all the responsibilities,” Bollinger said. “I loved sports, and I thought the athletic director was a role I was more suited to do.”
Last year’s principal was Earl Hammons, who resigned to pursue other career options. Bollinger said Hammons was well-liked by the students during his year as upper school principal.
“Mr. Hammons was personable, a good, happy man that the kids got along with,” Bollinger said.
This year, Bollinger’s focus will be serving as upper school principal and continuing to coach varsity boys basketball.
Bollinger’s roots in private Christian education go back to his childhood years as young student.
“I went to a Christian school as a kid,” Bollinger said.
After getting his degree in history from Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater, Fla., Bollinger decided to pursue private Christian education as a career.
“This is my 20th year in education, and all 20 years have been spent in private Christian schools,” Bollinger said. “I felt the most comfortable staying in the Christian-school arena.”
To kick off the school year, which started on Wednesday, Bollinger said the high school students are attending a retreat until today. Bollinger said he wants the students to be able to bond outside of school.
“We’re going to do small-group and large-group fun times,” Bollinger said. “You’re not just in your clique.”
Bollinger said he has several goals for the school year. One is making sure the high students enjoy their time at school.
“I want the kids to like MCA and be proud,” Bollinger said. “My goal is they enjoy the place they go to school.”
During the year, Bollinger said he would like to have the students participate in community service days.
“I want the kids to know you get to give as much as you receive,” Bollinger said.
Bollinger said he would like to make some strides and growth this upcoming school year. So far, he has a lot of good things to work with.
“I’ve heard nothing but positives, especially from parents,” Bollinger said. “They’re glad we’re kicking off with a focus.”
Like headmaster and head football coach Kevin Fields, Bollinger will do double duty as basketball coach and upper school principal. But, he said, it’s a task he doesn’t mind.
“It gives us, as administrators, an opportunity to be involved in a down-to-earth role,” he said. “That’s what makes this school special.”
Contact staff writer Stefanie White at swhite@acnpapers.com. To post comments online, access this story at www.scntx.com.
Copyright © 2012 - Star Local News