Vet goes from substitute teacher to principal

After a 22-year military career, a veteran finally saw his goal of becoming a school principal come to fruition.

Chris Bottoms, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, was named as the new principal at Kountze Middle School on June 29. He replaces Michael Hatton who became principal in Spurger ISD.

“I’m very grateful to get this shot,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, I’ve gone from a substitute teacher to principal of a school in nine years. I ought to be grateful at my age.”

Bottoms, 63, was interviewed for the position on June 28.

The 1976 graduate of Silsbee High School is entering his 10th year in education.

“Everything that has transpired over the last 10 years has brought me to this. God doesn’t do things by accident and He’s very intentional about His plan,” he said. “Every person that has been engaged in this process, I am so thankful for their interaction.”

Bottoms noted Paul Trevino, a former SHS principal, placed him as a department chair in his first year as a full-time teacher.

“It was five years ago we were having breakfast at Mama Jack’s,” he said. “He wanted to talk to me about considering a career as an administrator. I find it interesting my administrative journey started at Mama Jack’s in Kountze and ended in Kountze.”

Trevino is the principal at Huntsville High School.

While in the Air Force, Bottoms earned his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Criswell College in 1996, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

After a stellar career in the U.S. Air Force,  The retired first sergeant received his master’s degree in the New Testament from Criswell and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2003.

Bottoms was a substitute teacher from 2013 to 2014 – teaching a variety of subjects including history, English and Spanish. He got in teaching certificate in May 2013 and the following fall became the department chair for Social Studies at Silsbee High School.

After earning his Principal Certification in 2019, Bottoms served as an assistant principal at Silsbee (2019-21) and Lumberton (2021-2022) high schools.

He said both positions helped him administratively, but more important was being a teacher.

“Having been a teacher and department chair, working with the teachers that I had with me at Silsbee, but also developing relationships as an administrative leader with both Silsbee and Lumberton, it gave me a different perspective.”

Bottoms is hoping all that transpired over those years is a “good foundation to build on.”

Before going into administration, he taught for six years at Silsbee ISD. He also coached boys soccer for three seasons (2016-2018).

“Kids are kids and I figured that out pretty quickly,” he said. “Students are students and it doesn’t matter what school district you’re in. Yes, each culture is different and each administration handles things differently. But at the end of the day, they’re still kids. You have to find a way to build a relationship with them to become that coach or mentor, and finding that way to work with them.”

Bottoms said he’s seen and been a part of how other school districts do things.

“All that kind of fills the toolbox,” he said. “The biggest contributor to my experience is my life experience.”

Bottoms added that during his military career, he moved around a lot and served in various roles.

“I’ve been exposed to so many different conditions, so many different cultures and so many different people,” he said. “I’ve experienced a wide variety of leadership styles, and leadership conditions and all this has gone into making me what and who I am. God’s been orchestrating everything to bring me to this point.”

Bottoms feels Kountze is a little “secret in Hardin County.”

“I can’t tell you how warm I was received. They have a really blessed view of things. And the atmosphere I walked into was amazing,” he said. “I immediately felt accepted. I immediately felt a warm reception. They’re excited to get to work with me and I’m excited to work with them.”

Bottoms’ first day at the KMS was July 11, since Kountze ISD was closed during the week of July 4. His first official day is July 18.

“I’ve met several teachers during the interview process,” he said. “But the most important person to meet was the principal’s secretary (Sharon Depew). She’s going to be extremely important.”

Bottoms has went from being a Tiger to a Raider, and now back in the cat family as a Lion. He added that he’s been shopping for the correct color of red to wear this school year.

“My wardrobe has gone through a transformation over the past three years,” he laughed.

When not at school, Bottoms has pastored the Friendship Baptist Church in Silsbee for the past 10 years.