Every Eden Elementary School students start each day with a chuckle.
Principal Joe Bowman’s cheesy “joke of the day” has become popular at the small, close-knit Greenfield-Central school. While some students vote on whether it’s funny, others jot their own joke down on paper for the principal to share.
And some are simply honest.
“One of the students told me about three weeks into the year that they really aren’t that funny, but she laughs just because she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings,” Bowman said with a smile. “I appreciate how she felt comfortable telling me, my dad jokes aren’t funny.”
Bowman is wrapping up his second year as principal of GC’s smallest elementary school, and he is thrilled with his position close to home and in a building where teachers collaborate to ensure every student thrives.
While Eden has a long tradition of close ties and multiple generations calling the school on Hancock County’s north side home, Bowman has been fitting right in and ensuring those values continue.
Bowman grew up in New Castle and currently lives there with his family. His first job was teaching kindergarten in Knightstown, and he went on to teach third and fourth grades in Indianapolis. He served as an assistant principal and principal of other school corporations for eight years before gladly accepting the job at Eden.
“I love being a principal, and Eden Elementary has been a very special place to be,” Bowman said. “The first couple of years have started off great, and I am so thankful for the GC community, families, staff, and students of Eden.”
In the last two years, the school’s nature lab has reopened for science lessons outside. Eden also encourages mentorship across ages.
At the Greenfield-Central School Board meeting last week, for example, Eden was the spotlight school and first graders explained their pumpkin patch science and math lessons. Next year, those students will be in second grade and help the new first graders learn as well.
After all, “teaching is the highest form of learning,” Bowman said, so any time a child can explain to someone else how they came to an answer, they’re continuing to learn too.
Younger students also adore learning from their older peers, Bowman added.
Eden serves students in kindergarten through third grades. Bowman has always loved early childhood education, and says he is still a kindergarten teacher at heart.
Just last week, a kindergarten student was getting extra help in the front office, and the boy walked into Bowman’s office to ask a question. Bowman immediately switched to a gentle, paternal voice and helped.
GC Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said it’s been a smooth transition with Joe Bowman in place at Eden. Bowman has all of the credentials a principal should have, he said, but more important than his resume– “Joe is a caring professional who advocates for all of his students.”
“Joe has quickly made a positive impact as a second-year elementary principal, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both students and staff,” Olin said. “Teachers, parents, and students appreciate his visibility, open communication, and dedication to creating a school where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.”
Local mom Megan Sweeney said she was apprehensive about the transition two years ago, but she has been pleased to know that Bowman has shown the same leadership, understanding and love for students as the Eden leaders of the past.
“Mr. Bowman came into Eden and it feels as if he has been there forever,” said Sweeney, who volunteers with the school through the parent-teacher organization. “I remember coming to school for a function in the first few weeks he was there and he knew every student by name. My son, Reid, a third grader, and daughter Tessa, a first grader, have always had positive things to say about Mr. Bowman. He seems very involved with each class at Eden. Eden is such a special school, and Mr. Bowman is such a great fit.”
Walking through the school last week, Bowman was proud to show off all the bright colors and creative Valentines boxes lining the halls. There are only two classrooms of each grade level at Eden, so it’s easy for each team of two to collaborate on ideas and ensure every student is successful.
“I am not sure I can put into words how incredible this staff is,” Bowman said. “We are all in this together, and we will do whatever it takes to help our students. It is the Eden way. There isn’t room for anything but that, and we take care of each other, so we can take care of our kids.”
Eden continues to ensure IREAD scores are 95% or higher every year, a goal that’s been achieved for years. Staff is constantly monitoring the progress of students, and using data to know when to intervene or enrich student learning.
They’re focused on one year’s worth of growth or more in math and reading across all levels.
“The amount of growth you see in kids at this age is amazing because of how much their little brains learn,” Bowman said. “They have to have multiple sensory activities and really be involved in hands-on activities, no matter how messy it may be.”
Eden also remains community-minded, and came in first place once again this winter in a county-wide shoe collection contest hosted by Recycle Hancock County and benefiting Changing Footprints. Children brought in more than 1,500 pairs of shoes for the community; the pairs that are unusable will be recycled into playground mulch.
Bowman said there’s a lot of pride in the school that’s very community-driven. He tries his best to provide space for each person – big or little– to be authentically themselves every day, and celebrate it.
“I try to be curious and not judgemental while also seeing potential in those around me and challenging them to reach it,” Bowman said. “I try to improve everyday on how to provide the best environment for students to thrive. I learn new things everyday, admit I am not perfect and make mistakes, and then learn from those to better serve everyone.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
“I am not sure I can put into words how incredible this staff is,” Bowman said. “We are all in this together, and we will do whatever it takes to help our students.”
