Back-to-school season is extra exciting this year because we are welcoming two new division principals: Michele Claeys, Associate Head and Middle School Principal, and Tiffany Bridgewater, Lower School Principal. Ms. Claeys and Ms. Bridgewater bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to Norwood School, and we are delighted to welcome them. Following is some background information about each of our new principals, but the best way to get to know them is to stop by and say hello!
Michele Claeys is a visionary school leader whose experience and philosophy make her an excellent match for Norwood. For the past four years, she has served as Head of School at the Ross School in East Hampton, NY. During her 16-year career at Ross, Ms. Claeys has also served as Middle School Director, Lower School Director, Director of Academics, and Sixth Grade Math and Cultural History Teacher and Team Leader. Previously, she was a lead third grade teacher, teaching all subjects, at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. Ms. Claeys has a B.A. in Art History and French from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Elementary Education and Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education. Ms. Claeys was one of 20 heads of school from around the world to be awarded a Klingenstein Fellowship for January 2012.
Tiffany Bridgewater is a talented and dedicated educator who comes to us from St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she has served as Associate Director of Lower School since July 2008. Known as a caring, inspiring, thoughtful, and hard-working leader, Ms. Bridgewater was also the Director of Diversity Development & Community Outreach and a member of the administrative team at The Potomac School. Earlier in her career, she was a teacher at Madeira School and Sandy Spring Friends School. Ms. Bridgewater has also been an adjunct professor at Marymount and Belmont universities. She holds a B.A. in English from Fisk University, an M.A. in Literature/Language from Marymount University, and an M.A. in Education, also from Marymount.