Bo Oates named new Inspire Academy principal

Inspire Academy is welcoming a new principal in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Bo Oates, a 30-year education veteran, will be taking the helm from last year’s principal, Troy Kelley.

This year, Oates is stepping up to the plate to take on Inspire Academy, CCSD’s Career and Technical Education program which serves both high schools and both middle schools in the county.

He said his goal for Inspire Academy is “to continue what Mr. Seeley and Dr. Nelson and Mr. Kelly have done the last few years, keep getting kids excited about being in College and Career Ready [programs], and giving back to their communities when they get out.”

“One of the things that is really exciting about CTE is that students can walk out and be ready to go into an industry, whatever the industry is, of their choice,’’ he added.

One of the many programs that have had notable success in recent years is the Greenpower Motor Racing team in the Manufacturing and Engineering program at Inspire Academy. Oates praised Engineering teacher Seth Stehouwer.

Seth Stehouwer is an amazing, passionate teacher, and he’s a great green power coach, and I just hope that his program just continues to flourish and continues to grow,” Oates said.

As for what’s to come with Inspire Academy, Oates said that his focus right now is on maintaining the school’s current equilibrium.

“Right now, being new, I want to just come in and observe and see what we’re doing well, and see what areas we need to improve on,” he said.

Oates began his career as an educator over the state line in Georgia. He served as a teacher and coach, before moving on to an administrative role. He has worked in education administration for the past 15 years.

After 30 years of serving students as an educator, Oates has done just about everything. He went from being a teacher and a coach to a director in an alternative school setting and then to an assistant principal.

“I just enjoy serving others, serving students, serving teachers, serving parents, that’s just that just it’s what I’ve done all my life. So I can’t see doing anything else,” he said.

In 2023, Oates retired and took a position at Chambers County Schools as an interventionist at Huguley Elementary School.

“I kind of stepped out of my comfort zone and worked with elementary students, which I’d never done before, even though I had two degrees in early childhood,” Oates said.

Working at Huguley under principal Phillip Jenkins was a positive experience, Oates said.

“It’s been fantastic. This is just a great family environment. Everybody takes care of you. Everybody’s friendly, eager to help,” he said.

Oates discovered his philosophy for school administration through his experience serving as an interim basketball coach years ago.

“One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had came in the middle of the season, and those kids ended up going to the state tournament unexpectedly,” Oates said. “And just to see the growth, and see them come together.”

“That’s what the whole education process is, is team building, and I equate it a lot to sports, but sports reflect life a lot, and it’s no different than a school,” he continued. “You’re building a team and seeing people come together to build something special. Those are memories you can’t shake.”

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