Scott and Katherine Bowes to join Kentucky-Tennessee Conference

The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference administration is pleased to announce that Scott Bowes and Katherine Bowes have accepted calls to serve the conference. Scott will serve as Superintendent of Education, while Katherine will serve as the Education Curriculum Specialist; a new role focused on providing additional support to the conference’s teachers and schools.

Scott brings three decades of experience in Adventist education, including classroom teaching, school administration and conference leadership. Since 2021, he has served as Vice President for Education for the Gulf States Conference.

As Superintendent, Scott said his first priority will be learning about the conference’s schools and listening to the educators, administrators and board members who serve them.

“I want to hear what they’re excited about, what’s going well, and what challenges they’re facing,” Scott said.

Scott also added that he wants to work closely with principals and teachers to understand the unique needs of each school and develop strategies that will help them thrive.

“Every school is different,” he said. “I want to work alongside our principals and teachers, understand what their schools need and find the best ways to support them.”

Scott began his career as a seventh and eighth grade teacher at College Park Elementary School from 1996 to 1999. He also taught physics and mathematics at Kingsway College from 1993 to 1994 and again from 1999 to 2007. He later served Kingsway College as Vice Principal for Academics (2007-2008), Principal (2008-2010) and then as President (2010-2015). In 2015, he became Principal of Bass Memorial Academy, where he served until 2021 when he became the Vice President for Education for the Gulf States Conference. Scott graduated from Southern College, now Southern Adventist University, in 1993.

Throughout his career, Scott said his approach has centered on providing students with a Christ-centered education without compromising academic quality.

“The whole reason we do what we do is to introduce kids to Christ, but we better have great academics,” Scott said. “We better have a safe culture where kids feel loved and cared for. We’ve got to be excellent in all of it.”

Katherine has also spent much of her career in education and currently serves as Human Resources Director for the Gulf States Conference. Her professional experience includes classroom teaching, directing choirs, and operating a private music studio. She also composes music and maintains a private music ministry through which she performs concerts at churches. Katherine graduated from Canadian Union College, now Burman University, in 1994.

As Curriculum Specialist, a new position within the conference, Katherine will help mentor teachers, strengthen classroom instruction, and connect educators with resources and support. Katherine said the position will continue to develop as she, Scott, and the conference’s Education team assess the needs of schools throughout the territory. Alongside her work with the education department, Katherine will provide administrative support in the Office of the President as needed.

“I’m especially excited to mentor new teachers fresh out of school who may not have a lot of experience or know exactly what to do when they enter the classroom for the first time,” Katherine said. “I want them to know they have someone they can turn to as they grow into their calling as educators.”

According to her, investing in teachers is ultimately an investment in students.

“When teachers have the support and resources they need, they’re better equipped to serve their students,” Katherine said.

Both Scott and Katherine say they are committed to supporting the conference’s schools, educators, and students.

“I love education,” Katherine said. “I’m excited to return to the field and help create something really special.”

While Katherine and Scott have not yet determined their exact transition date, the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference looks forward to welcoming them and supporting them as they begin their new roles.