Eugene School District 4J

Congratulations to 4J's own Chemika Bolden, a recipient of the 2025 Educator of the Year Award given by the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators.

The alliance recognized Ms. Bolden for her work as administrator of the district’s Grow Your Own program, a position she’s held since 2023, to diversify the educator workforce at 4J with a focus on the recruitment, preparation and retention of staff. It also noted her contributions to statewide efforts, including the Oregon Department of Education’s African American/Black Student Success Plan that aims to eliminate the academic disparities experienced by Black students.

“Her work bridges personal passion with institutional strategy, always focused on ensuring that all students—especially those historically marginalized—can see themselves in those who lead,” the alliance said in its award announcement.

That personal passion was born out of her experience attending K-12 in the neighboring Bethel School District, where Ms. Bolden graduated from Willamette High School, along with her three sisters. Her father worked for Bethel as a special ed educational assistant for more than 20 years.

"Growing up, I only had one Black teacher in my K–12 education, and I remember wishing I had more teachers who reflected my identity and experiences,” she said. “That’s really what drives me now, because I know how much representation matters for students and the difference it can make in their success.”

Following high school graduation, Bolden entered Oregon State University with plans to become an engineering major when an elective ethnic studies class she took impacted her profoundly, motivating her to delve into her identity. She changed course, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies in 2013. She earned her master’s degree in teaching from Pacific University in 2019, followed by her administrator license five years later.

In 2019, she started work as a classroom teacher at 4J, first at Edison and then Adams elementary schools. She then took a job at Lane Education Service District, working to help the 16 school districts in the county that it supports diversify its educator workforce. 

4J started the Grow Your Own program in 2020, and she became its administrator three years later. Earlier this year, the Meyer Memorial Trust awarded the program a $140,000 grant, supporting mentorship in the GYO program as part of the district’s broader commitment to diversifying and strengthen its educational workforce. Collectively she has successfully authored and received more than $1 million in grant funding for Grow Your Own initiatives for Lane County educators.

The school board and Dr. Miriam Mickelson, 4J’s superintendent, will recognize Bolden and her work during the school board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3. She will be accompanied by her husband, and three sons, two are school aged children enrolled at 4J.

Learn More

4J Grow Your Own Program
Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators