Dr. Tristal Watson
Dr. Tristal Watson, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction
Phone: (314) 953-5034
Dr. Tristal Watson serves as assistant superintendent of Elementary School Education, English Language Learners, and Federal Programs for the Hazelwood School District. She is an engaging and inspirational leader who has led educational efforts in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Mississippi. During her time in the school district of Philadelphia, she assisted with planning, developing, and implementing Extended Day/Extended Year programming in select schools in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Education. She is passionate about creating the conditions to advance equity in educational spaces and beyond while centering the voices of children.
During her time in Massachusetts and Harvard University, she facilitated learning for leaders across the world through the National Data Wise Institute, School Turnaround Leaders Institute, Achieving Excellence in Leadership (AEL) Institute, and the Urban School Leaders Institute. She has also led learning as a teaching fellow for notable professors and collaborated with former Massachusetts Secretary of Education, Paul Reville, on the design of real world simulations that increase opportunities for perspective taking in policy making. Additionally, she served as a superintendent fellow where she was instrumental in the creation of a new Office of Family Engagement and Communication in a local school district.
Prior to Harvard, Dr. Watson served as an AmeriCorps tutor, a middle school teacher, an athletic coach, assistant principal, and principal in Mississippi where she led efforts to improve literacy, support teacher growth, enhance family and community partnerships, and develop and sustain a multi-tiered system of support.
Dr. Watson earned a Doctorate of Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an Education Specialist from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, both from Mississippi State University.
Dr. Watson has supervisory responsibility for the following schools:
Garrett
Jamestown
Keeven
Lawson
McCurdy
Cold Water
Departments:
EL and Immigrant Services
Federal Programs