Austin ISD is celebrating Principal Appreciation Week, and Tiona Bell, principal of Blackshear Elementary School, is being highlighted in the "Sparks of Joy" series. Bell leads the Blackshear Yellowjackets with a focus on joy and wisdom.
Reflecting on her journey into education, Bell shared, "I struggled in school and received a lot of support, especially in elementary school, because of my dyslexia and ADHD. Now I get to make that impact on students. Even though I have a degree in business, I switched careers in 2010 and have loved working with students and teaching."
Bell described a defining moment in her career: "Student growth will always be my joy. As a teacher, you only see the student for one year, but as a principal, you can see students grow for four or five years. It’s amazing to see their development!"
When asked about fostering positivity within her school community, Bell said, "I am very intentional about my words and actions. I strive to bring positivity into the classroom and school and ultimately, I am here to serve our students and staff. We want Blackshear to be a space where students can learn academically but also grow in their social-emotional skills."
She also shared moments she looks forward to each year: "The first day of school is an incredible day every year when we welcome our families into our school and the learning begins! Any other time during the year when we can get our community together brings an immense amount of joy, especially Little EAST when our students get to show off their artistic talents."
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