This week, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Mrs. Bova, a dedicated Life Skills teacher who brings passion, care, and real-world wisdom into her classroom every day.

Mrs. Bova was born on January 9 and grew up in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. She attended Corry Area High School, where she was an active student-athlete. During her high school years, she participated in several sports, but track stood out as her favorite. She competed in events like the long jump and triple jump, even holding a long jump record that lasted an impressive 40 years.

After high school, Mrs. Bova continued her education at Southeastern Academy in Florida, where she studied travel and tourism. Although she once dreamed of becoming an English teacher, her path eventually led her to a career in education in a different but equally meaningful way. After spending time as a stay-at-home mom raising her children, she decided to pursue a job that allowed her to share the same schedule as her kids—leading her to the Life Skills classroom, where she now thrives.

Family is very important to Mrs. Bova. She has one brother and two sisters and is also the proud mother of two daughters. One of her daughters is a sixth-grade math teacher, and her other daughter works at Bova’s Hardware Store in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania with her husband, John Bova. Mrs. Bova especially enjoys going to all of her grandson’s sporting events and spending as much time with her family as possible.

Mrs. Bova’s favorite color is red, and her favorite food is lasagna. She describes her perfect day as enjoying dinner and a movie, a simple but meaningful way to unwind. Not surprisingly, her favorite class to teach is Life Skills, where she can make a direct and lasting impact on her students’ everyday lives.

She lives by the quote, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” a mindset she encourages in her students. Her biggest pet peeve is dishonesty, as she values trust and integrity both in and out of the classroom.

When asked what advice she would give to readers, Mrs. Bova keeps it straightforward and powerful: “Work hard.”

Mrs. Bova’s story is one of a kind. Whether she’s teaching important life lessons or cheering from the sidelines at a game, she continues to make a difference in the lives of those around her.