Dr. Kevin Bott, a first-time principal, is ready for the term to begin at Hanna Springs Elementary School. PHOTO BY LISA CARNLEY Dr. Kevin Bott has accomplished much in his 31 years of life. But when he talks about what he is most thankful for, the conversation always returns to his wife, Jennifer, and his three young children.

Bott, the new principal at Hanna Springs Elementary School, found his way to Lampasas from Waco, and he said he couldn’t be happier here.

“We moved in during the week of Spring Ho, and it was fantastic. In between unpacking boxes, we took the kids to the park and for rides. They had a wonderful time,” he said. The downside? His children continue to ask where the rides are.

“What a tremendous blessing to have a festival like that in a community.”

A self-professed strong man of faith, Bott said he and his wife prayed before he interviewed for the Lampasas job.

“Our house sold in 10 days, we found a house here in 10 days, we packed and we packed and moved within a six-week period. If that’s not a blessing, what is? Clearly, we felt this is where we were supposed to come. It was an answered prayer. We wanted to be where God wanted us to be, and we feel very fortunate.”

The Houston native earned a bachelor of education degree from Baylor University, where he met his wife, who hailed from Hawaii.

They both liked Waco, and he began his studentteaching career at Waco High School. After several months into his yearlong student teaching, the classroom teacher became ill, and Bott took over the rest of the term.

His first full-time teaching assignment was at Midway, where he taught seventh-grade English language arts for four years before accepting an assistant principal’s slot at Hewitt Elementary. He remained there for five years. During that time, Bott earned his master’s degree in educational administration from Tarleton State University in 2005.

“I really had no intention of leaving my teaching position because I loved working with the kids, and was content,” he said.

Then the assistant principal’s job came open, and he interviewed for it. “I thought if it was meant to be, it would be. I applied for it, and it worked out.”

Then Bott turned his sights on a doctoral degree. “I knew I couldn’t afford it, though. There was no way. The tuition climbs every year, and I knew it was out of my reach. I figured if it was supposed to happen, then the money would come in.”

And it did, through the Baylor Bear Foundation. Bott served as an assistant under a professor at the Waco campus, and that helped cover the school expenses. It took over three years for him to earn his doctorate in education.

“I wanted to get it done before my kids were older, and it just worked out. It took me a long time because at no time did I want my wife to feel like a single mom.”

While at Hewitt Elementary, an administrator encouraged Bott to spread his wings.

When the job came open in Lampasas, Bott and his wife visited the community several times. “We thought it was a good, small community, and we could be happy here.”

Lampasas ISD Superintendent Randy Hoyer phoned Bott in May to offer him the Hanna Springs post. “He called me at work and asked if I needed a day or two to think about it. I told him, ‘No, I wouldn’t have driven my family there and interviewed twice if I didn’t want it.’”

During his interviews, Bott said he told administrators and school board members, “This is who I am. And they either like me or they don’t. There’s really no middle ground. I told them what I wanted to do, and what I felt I could do for the kids and teachers in the community.”

During his second interview, Hoyer took Bott on a drive through parts of the community. The superintendent stopped at a site where a home was under construction to introduce Bott to LISD Trustee Ron Farr. “He was building a house, and that turned out to be my house, and I didn’t know it at the time.”

While Bott said he is “tickled pink” to be in Lampasas, he is tired of driving by Hancock Municipal Golf Course knowing he hasn’t had a chance to play yet. “I love golf. That’s not to say I’m very good, but I do love it. A golf course this close was certainly not a deterrent to this job.”

Mrs. Bott, also a Baylor graduate, is a stay-at-home mom for the couple’s children: 4-yearold Caleb, 2-year-old Emily and four-month-old Jonathan.

“Her job is much harder than mine,” said Bott. She is the most amazing and supportive wife and mother. Even if I didn’t have my job I would be blessed because of her.”

Bott said he enjoys going home to his wife and children. “I’m not a work-until-9 o’clock principal. We all have families here, and I want us to be able to spend time with them and take care of them. That’s what’s important.”

The new principal said he appreciates the community’s friendliness. “We love it here. Even when we drove through here our first time, everyone was so welcoming and cordial.

“And the school’s staff have made us feel very welcome, and they have been considerate of us while we have been moving in.”

While he officially began his duties July 1, the real task begins when the largest of the district’s three elementary campuses opens for students on Aug. 23.

“I am ready,” he said. “And I want people to feel comfortable about coming and talking to me. I think it is important to get feedback, especially in a school this size. I want to make decisions with help from those who know what they are talking about.

“On the other hand, I am not afraid to make the tough decisions that need to be made,” Bott said. “I am here for the kids. That’s what this is all about. This is what I like to do.

“I want to watch kids grow and develop, and I want to have a positive impact on that.”

And he is ready for the challenge of being a first-time principal.

“We are just loving it here, and obviously we are where we need to be.

“I’m kind of wondering what took us so long to get here.”