Press Release for Monday, February 13, 2023
Title: Interim Principal Appointed for Watertown High School
Watertown, CT - February 13, 2023 - On Monday night, the Watertown Board of Education appointed long time educator and administrator, Ms. Arline Tansley as the Interim Principal for Watertown High School beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Tansley is most recently a retired building administrator from Wolcott, CT and has served in Interim roles during her retirement. She is highly knowledgeable in secondary education and has demonstrated a proven track record of strong leadership at both the Middle and High School levels as principal and assistant principal. Most recently, she finished an interim role as High School principal in Suffield, CT.
“Ms. Arline Tansley comes highly recommended to us and I know that her long time experience at both the middle and high school level will be an asset to Watertown High School as we gear up for the latter half of the year. Her ability to cultivate strong relationships, maintain high expectations, and friendly personality will be key as we transition leaders this month. Her experience in leading at the secondary level in busy and dynamic schools like WHS is reassuring in every possible way,” said Dr. Villanueva.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Tansley received a wide variety of honors: Teacher of the Year (‘94/95), National School of Excellence, Carnegie Foundation & Connecticut Celebration of Excellence Recognition, an Exemplary School Climate Award/CT Association of Schools, and the Roseann Barrett Award for her commitment to community service.
“We were looking for a seasoned candidate with first hand knowledge leading the operational details of a dynamic high school who could jump in mid year. Ms Tansley not only brings many years of expertise she is personable and dedicated to educational excellence. We are delighted to have Ms. Tansley lead Watertown High School to the end of this academic year,” said Ms. Palomba, BOE Chairperson.
Ms. Tansley holds several designations from Central CT State University (CCSU): 6th year in Education Leadership; Masters in Education Supervision and Administration; History/Social Studies Graduate Certification; and a B.A. Sociology/Anthropology.
Ms. Tansley will visit WHS over the course of next week to meet with WHS faculty and staff and administrators in the district as she leads up to her official start on February 22.