Watertown High School is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Bell as our new Assistant Principal! With a rich background in education, a heart for students, and a vision rooted in community and growth, Mrs. Bell brings both experience and energy to her new role. Before joining WHS, Mrs. Bell served as an instructional coach at Derby High School, where she worked closely with Humanities teachers, especially those new to the profession. She helped with lesson planning, grading, modeling classroom strategies, and organizing professional learning opportunities. Her journey in education began as a high school English teacher, later evolving into a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) coach. These roles helped her develop a strong foundation in leadership, collaboration, and student engagement.
Mrs. Bell grew up in Seymour and was familiar with Watertown through the NVL (Naugatuck Valley League, a high school athletic conference in Connecticut whose member schools are located in the Naugatuck River Valley region). During her interview process, she felt a strong sense of shared values and community spirit at WHS. That connection made her even more excited to step into her new role. She describes WHS as a place where students are encouraged to ask questions and not be afraid to explore. Her vision for the school is clear: “Let’s highlight what makes us important. People come here to learn, and teachers come here to encourage that learning and get involved. All the work is valued, not just the final grades.” She believes in creating meaningful experiences for students, helping them build independence and confidence. “The person talking is doing the learning,” she says, emphasizing a student-centered approach where discussion, exploration, and demonstration are key.
Mrs. Bell’s advice to students is simple but powerful: “Give yourself a chance, and give other people a chance. Treat others with grace, and give yourself grace, too.” Her teaching philosophy centers on both perspective and process. She encourages students to find their own style, to focus on growth over perfection, and to embrace learning as a journey. “Even if you don’t love something, you can still be great at it,” she says.
Outside of school, Mrs. Bell lives in Shelton, with her husband, their four-year-old son, 18-month-old daughter, and a lively dalmatian. Her free time is joyfully consumed by family adventures, reading, writing, and football. She loves writing stories about second chances and characters who grow through challenges. “I want my kids to experience the world,” she says. “I never want them to feel stuck in a box.”
Watertown High School is lucky to have Mrs. Bell on board. Her dedication to students, her collaborative spirit, and her thoughtful leadership are already making a difference. Welcome to WHS, Mrs. Bell. We’re so glad you’re here!
