Skip To Main Content

Boulder Creek Salutes Principal Jim Leeper and His Legacy of Excellence

Boulder Creek Salutes Principal Jim Leeper and His Legacy of Excellence
Boulder Creek Elementary
Banner with "Bulldog News" and "Boulder Creek Elementary" beside the school logo
A group of people in vintage attire salute in front of a wall with a bulldog logo and "Home of the Bulldogs" text.

Boulder Creek Elementary Principal Jim Leeper has become known around his campus for “famous quotes” that he uses every day. For example, he can regularly be heard saying his “favorite day of the week is normal." In honor of Principal Leeper, Boulder Creek staff showed up to school dressed to pay homage to one of his most notable quotes.

In a nod to Leeper’s favorite quote from the movie Top Gun, staff arrived on campus dressed as flight crews, complete with aviator glasses and rolling suitcases. The tribute celebrated a career defined by high expectations and a deep investment in the people behind the desk.

Throughout his tenure, Leeper has grounded his leadership in a singular philosophy: “It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot." In a school setting, this translates to “it’s not the classroom, it’s the teacher,” and places the focus on human connection over physical facilities. With this quote in mind, Leeper has prioritized the Professional Learning Community (PLC) as the most important hour of the week, which has fostered a culture where teachers are encouraged to be at the top of their game every day.

For Leeper, student and staff success are the natural byproduct of a simple rule: “Every student matters, every moment counts.” The atmosphere at Boulder Creek reflects Leeper’s personal value for "grit and perseverance." He often reminded students and staff that “Excellence looks different than average,” pushing each person on campus to be the best version of themselves.

His daily interactions often concluded with a sincere, “Thanks for coming to work today,” a phrase that became a staple on campus. Now, as the school year nears its conclusion, the "Flight Crew" at Boulder Creek thanks Principal Leeper for coming to work and making a difference every single day. The legacy Leeper leaves behind is rooted in the idea that the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

While the school prepares to introduce a new principal next week, the flight path for Boulder Creek remains clear. The commitment to excellence and the "Bulldog" spirit of perseverance are deeply embedded in the classrooms, ensuring the school remains a premier choice school for Gilbert and Mesa families.

To learn more about Boulder Creek Elementary, schedule a tour at BoulderCreek.GilbertSchools.net/Tour. 
 

Four people dressed as pilots stand with luggage in front of a whiteboard with a bulldog logo and the words %22Boulder Creek%22 and %22Pride Lives.%22
Four people pose for a photo in a park with trees and a playground in the background.
Two people dressed as pilots with suitcases in the foreground stand with a man in casual attire in front of an office-like background.
A group of people dressed as pilots salute in front of a %22Boulder Creek%22 sign with a bulldog logo.
Three women in flight attendant uniforms stand in a classroom with a rolling suitcase in the foreground and colorful decorations in the background.
A man in a blue polo shirt and a woman dressed as a flight attendant stand together in an office with a rolling suitcase, while a glimpse of a conference room is visible through an open doorway in the background.
A person in a pilot costume stands with a suitcase in front of a tiled wall.
Three people in aviation-themed costumes pose outdoors on a paved surface with a school building and basketball hoop in the background.
A group of people in vintage attire salute in front of a wall with a bulldog logo and %22Home of the Bulldogs%22 text.