On Wednesday, May 20th, the Watertown Board of Education approved Kristin Raymond as the next principal of Judson Elementary School. Ms. Raymond is currently the assistant principal at Thomaston High School where she has been working with 7th-12th grade students and their families for the past six years. “Although it is hard to say good-bye to Thomaston after 16 years, I am so very excited for the next chapter and adventure in my life,” said Ms. Raymond. Prior to becoming an administrator, Ms. Raymond was an elementary teacher at Black Rock Elementary School in Thomaston.
Ms. Raymond is a 2003 graduate of Sacred Heart University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and received her elementary teaching certificate. She also holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN. After spending seven years as an elementary teacher, Ms. Raymond decided to expand her impact on students and received her Administrative Certificate (092) from the University of Bridgeport in 2011.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Ms. Raymond played an instrumental role in the planning and implementation of her district’s social/emotional learning initiative and served as the chair of the District Safety Committee. As a teacher, Ms. Raymond worked on district-level curriculum committees focused on curriculum and instruction. “Ms. Raymond has the skills and experiences needed to build upon the great work already underway at Judson,” said Dr. Harrison, Superintendent of Schools.
Ms. Raymond was one of 43 applicants. During the interview process, her knowledge of teaching and learning, commitment to fostering positive relationships with students, staff and families and ability to communicate with all stakeholders was apparent. “Transitioning into a new principal position during a pandemic requires a unique set of skills. Ms. Raymond consistently demonstrated her readiness to lead in the face of uncertainty throughout the entire interview process” said Dr. Harrison. After starting in her new role on July 1st, Ms. Raymond plans to reach out to members of the Judson community to introduce herself and begin building relationships with students, staff and families.
“The Board of Education is thrilled to have Ms. Raymond join us as the new leader of the dedicated staff at Judson. Although she is joining our district during a challenging time, she is bringing the knowledge and skills needed to ensure a successful transition back to school in the fall and provide ongoing support to our students and their families,” said Leslie Crotty, Board Chair.