By CHARLENE PAUL
Moapa Valley Progress
There is a new administrator at Grant Bowler Elementary school this year. But the school’s new Assistant Principal is certainly not an unfamiliar face.
Mitch Ozaki was born and raised in Moapa Valley. He comes from a long line of educators, including his grandfather, Dr. Gary Cameron, who served as principal at Moapa Valley High School for many years.
Beginning in 2013, Ozaki taught English and coached football at Virgin Valley High School (VVHS) in Mesquite. For the past two years, he worked as an English Resource teacher at MVHS where he also coached football, girls’ flag football and golf.
In 2016, Ozaki earned his Master’s degree in administration. He entered the CCSD hiring pool for entry-level secondary and elementary school administrators.
“Since most of my educator’s experience was on the high school level, that’s where I figured I would end up,” Ozaki said. “But when the secondary dean positions were dissolved, it messed up the entry-level status.”
When the Assistant Principal position at Grant M. Bowler Elementary School opened up, Ozaki threw his hat in the ring.
“I didn’t have a lot of experience in the elementary level,” he said. “But my kids are at that school. I thought, ‘Who better to help those students than someone who is vested in the school?’” “After all, this is where I went to elementary school,” Ozaki added. “So it is exciting to be here.”
Ozaki said his first month on the job has been fun.
“On this level, the kids still like school,” he said. “They want me to play with them at recess. Their excitement is contagious.”
Ozaki said that working conditions at the school have been good. He has a good relationship with Bowler principal, Shawna Jessen. “Shauna is really patient and so good to work for,” Ozake said. “I feel like I lucked out with this being my first administrative job.”
“It has been great having Mitch at our school,” said Jessen of Ozaki. “He is a hard worker and a quick learner. He is a good fit, and we are so glad to have him.”
Besides working in education, Ozaki and his wife Makayla raise honey bees and sell the locally raised honey.
“We’ve been doing this for about 10 years,” Ozaki said. “My Grandpa Cameron had hives in the valley, and I was always around them when I was a kid.”
