RHES Principal and Student Recognized for Leadership

Congratulations to Rose Hill Elementary School's Principal Damicka Bates for receiving the Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators 2026 Outstanding Administrator Leadership Award! She is one of five administrators selected to receive this prestigious honor in Ohio.

We also want to congratulate RHES 5th grader Isley for receiving the 2026 Student Honoree Award for her dedication, leadership, service, and remarkable achievements as an outstanding student of excellence. Well done, Isley, we are #REYNProud of you!

You can read Mrs. Bates' nomination below:

"Principal Damicka Bates is an exceptional educational leader whose impact at Rose Hill Elementary School and throughout Reynoldsburg City Schools has been nothing short of transformative. A results-oriented building principal with five years of experience in educational leadership, she consistently demonstrates the organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills required to thrive in today’s fast-paced educational environment. Her leadership reflects the highest levels of trustworthiness, ethics, and dependability, and she is unwavering in her commitment to students, teachers, and the broader school community. Confident, hardworking, and poised in all interactions, Principal Bates changes cultures and elevates every space she enters.

Since joining Rose Hill Elementary in 2021, Principal Bates has led the school through significant growth, increased stability, and measurable academic and behavioral improvements. One of her most impressive accomplishments has been raising the school’s attendance percentage to 96% in just three years. Her approach to attendance is relational, proactive, and student-centered—ensuring families feel supported, barriers are addressed, and students are excited to be at school. Such a substantial improvement is a direct reflection of her ability to build a positive school climate and engage families as true partners.

Her leadership in improving student behavior has been equally remarkable. Under her guidance, Rose Hill Elementary School has seen a reduction of more than 50% in major referrals and suspensions. These results stem from her implementation of restorative practices, her emphasis on consistent expectations, and her conviction that all students deserve systems that support their success. Principal Bates has built staff capacity in classroom management, strengthened tiered supports, and fostered a school-wide culture where students feel valued, seen, and understood.

Principal Bates is also highly skilled at forging and expanding community partnerships that strengthen the school’s academic and social-emotional programs. Since 2021, she has increased the number and depth of community partner relationships to ensure that student achievement is supported by a network of organizations committed to the success of our Rose Hill Mustangs. These partnerships have provided valuable resources, enrichment, mentorship, and family support, further demonstrating her ability to leverage community assets to benefit students.

Her vision for leadership extends beyond her own role. She has facilitated targeted professional development for aspiring administrators, helping to build the capacity of future assistant principals and building leaders. Her willingness to mentor and coach emerging leaders embodies her belief in developing others and strengthening leadership pipelines across the District. Her work has directly contributed to the readiness and confidence of numerous educators who aspire to take on greater responsibilities.

Principal Bates also proudly serves as an ambassador for Reynoldsburg City Schools. She has helped recruit strong teacher candidates and has represented the District with professionalism and enthusiasm. Her ability to communicate the District’s mission, values, and opportunities has made her a powerful advocate for attracting and retaining high-quality educators.

Her contributions extend to District-level initiatives as well. Principal Bates collaborated closely with District leadership to establish the Grow Your Own Program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education, an innovative effort to cultivate and support future educators from within the community. Her insight into teacher recruitment, her understanding of school needs, and her passion for diversifying the educator pipeline made her an invaluable partner in shaping the program.

What distinguishes Principal Bates most is her ability to blend vision with action. She is resourceful, able to multitask effectively, and consistently completes both short- and long-term projects with exceptional quality. She maintains strict compliance with District, local, state, and federal requirements while leading with heart, integrity, and a clear sense of purpose. Her demonstrated expertise in raising report card scores, enhancing student outcomes, and strengthening community partnerships speaks for itself, but equally powerful is the way she makes students, families, and staff feel supported, respected, and inspired.

In every sense, Principal Damicka Bates exemplifies what it means to be a transformational school leader. Her impact is measurable, meaningful, and deeply felt throughout Rose Hill Elementary School and the broader Reynoldsburg community. She is highly deserving of recognition for her outstanding leadership and her unwavering dedication to the success of every child and every educator she serves."