Hi there! I'm Hillary Bowen, a passionate educator with a heart for guiding and supporting young minds. With a background as both a sixth and second-grade teacher, I have spent years fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment to help students flourish academically and emotionally. I am so excited to be one of the school counselors at Columbia Elementary! 

My journey in education began with a solid foundation in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). As a dedicated and creative classroom teacher, I honed my abilities to engage and inspire young learners. Witnessing the profound impact of addressing students' emotional well-being alongside academics, I sought to broaden my expertise and empower a diverse range of learners. This led me to pursue a second bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Deaf Education from Utah State University. Combining my passion for education with a commitment to improving the lives of students with communication and hearing challenges, I embarked on a new path as a School Counselor. This role allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills to create a safe and nurturing environment where all students could thrive.

I grew up in Madison, AL, and attended Madison City Schools, where my love for education first took root. In July of 2015, I married my high school sweetheart, Will Bowen. We are blessed with two wonderful boys, Beckett and Brooks, who continually inspire me to be a better educator and a loving parent.

School Counseling Mission: The mission of the Columbia Elementary comprehensive counseling program is to empower all students to learn, excel, lead, grow, innovate, and compete globally by providing a safe environment, advocating for each student, offering excellent instruction, and promoting positive attitudes through academic, personal, and career development. 

School Counseling Vision: As a result of the comprehensive school counseling program, students at Columbia Elementary School will possess the academic proficiencies to be steadfast learners, the personal development skills to be global leaders, and the college and career readiness competencies to successfully contribute to society so that they can reach their highest potential.

Contact: If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email at hbbowen@madisoncity.k12.al.us.

For the 2024-2025 school year, I will primarily work with first, third, and fifth grades.