WBCSD instructor and competitive marathon runner
Shanna Bolden of Cleveland is in her first year as West Bolivar Consolidated School District Science Academic Officer for all of the schools in the district who, basically, oversees all of the science content and assessment for WBCSD. She has also recently become known as a marathon runner and just competed in the prestigious New York City Marathon on November 3 which goes through all five boroughs of the Big Apple.
“I had previously been an Academic Coach and a teacher in our district,” said Bolden, “and truly love what I do. My office now is in Rosedale, where the district’s headquarters is located and where I work two days a week and then spending the other three days in Shaw working. Sometimes, however, my schedule changes on the needs of the teachers.”
In her current position, Bolden said she creates tests, receives and oversees data analysis and oversee the curriculum. “But, truly, the main part of the job is to support our teachers in whatever help they may need, such as learning how to employ instructional strategies,” said Bolden.
Running came into Bolden’s life, she said, as a stress reliever and to overcome some personal obstacles that were detrimentally affecting her life.
“Long distance running truly helped me to cope,” she said, “which had been hard for me my entire life. I was raised in Cleveland by my grandparents, which was wonderful, but — as I became an adult — I was dealing with issues of anxiety, and often depression. Running helped me overcome and get through those issues. I like to say that I like running more after I do it then when I’m doing it,” she laughed.
Bolden said that overall, though, running does make her feel good and has drastically improved her outlook on life and mental well-being.
“Plus, it gives me energy afterwards,” she said. “There’s truth to that serotonin high!” she chuckled.
Starting out by participating in several local races, Bolden decided to run some full marathons, especially those six in particular that are listed as the “World Majors” events, one of which is the Chicago Marathon, which she has now completed twice.
“The first time I did Chicago was in 2022 running for Team Ronald McDonald House charities,” she said. “I raised $2000 for them and absolutely loved the experience. So much so that I did it again in 2023 for the same charity.”
That’s when she decided to continue to attempt all six “World Majors” marathons which led to her tackling New York’s famous marathon in October. Her next “World Majors” race will be in Berlin, Germany which she’ll run in September, which will leave London, Tokyo and Boston on her bucket list, the latter a race you have to qualify for and have a certain time in order to be accepted. “Boston will be my last of the six,” she said.
Speed is not the important thing about marathons for Bolden, she said. Completing in them is.
And while she’s taking some time off now, after New York and still dealing with having her knee popping out of place towards the end of the Chicago Marathon (“I still finished anyway,” she proudly stated), she’ll begin training again soon for Berlin next year.
“New York itself was an outstanding experience, even outside of the race,” said Bolden. “It was my first time visiting. I’ll admit, it got a little tense sometime with so many participants, about 60,000 runners, and reports of a flash grenade being found in Central Park that was not active, fortunately. I prayed a lot and wasn’t going to let fear keep from what doing what I set out to do. But, it was a wonderful, memorable trip and race.”
Runners in the New York City Marathon are picked by lottery and Bolden thinks it was God’s will that she was selected. “I got selected in my first lottery and I’ve very grateful,” she said. “A lot of people don’t ever get the opportunity.”
A Biology and Chemistry Education major from Delta State University, Bolden went on get a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently working on her Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from Delta State.
“My favorite part of my current job is helping these kids reach the potential they didn’t think they had,” said Bolden. “And, I must say, my students have been very supportive of my marathon running, even though some don’t actually realize it’s 26.2 miles!”
Shanna is married to Trapper Bolden, and together the couple have three children.
“He’s not a big fan of running,” Bolden laughed, “but he’s very supportive and we had a great time together in New Your City together, taking in so many historic sites and attractions.”