Bend-La Pine’s Boen honored for rmentorship, leadership

Bend-La Pine Schools’ Jim Boen, current Executive Director of Middle Schools and South County, received statewide recognition for his mentorship and leadership skills Thursday.

The Confederation of Oregon School Administrators honored Boen with the Bev Gladder Mentorship Award during its annual meeting on June 21. The award is presented to an Oregon school leader who distinguishes himself or herself as a mentor to new school administrators by demonstrating exceptional leadership, ethics and professionalism.

“Jim Boen is a tremendous leader who believes in teaching, mentoring and giving to those around him. He demonstrates integrity, kindness and the highest level of service in everything he does,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “At Bend-La Pine Schools, we believe in the power of mentors, and have robust new teacher and principal mentorship programs. When educators guide and help one another, the effects are felt throughout schools and classrooms.”

Boen currently oversees middle school programs and schools in Sunriver and La Pine. He has served in his current role for the past three years. Prior to that, he served as principal at La Pine Middle School for five years and served as an assistant principal at Cascade Middle School and La Pine Middle School.

Boen was nominated for the mentorship honor by Robi Phinney, current La Pine Middle School principal.

“Jim’s willingness to always lend an empathetic ear or offer wise words of wisdom creates a feeling of absolute support. In addition to his skills as a leader, Jim is one of the kindest people you will ever meet,” said Phinney. “His mentoring has an incredible ripple effect that improves teaching and learning throughout the district and ensures our students are receiving the exceptional educations they deserve.”