Takoma Education Campus (Interim)
Elena Bell’s mission is to ensure that students and families are equipped with the resources needed to navigate education and social systems effectively. She has created strong partnerships to continuously prepare students to think critically, improve academically, and ultimately find their passion. She brings to this position over 17 years of accomplishments in driving advancements in instructional practices and student outcomes, as both a principal and teacher.
While an undergraduate student at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, Ms. Bell discovered her passion for serving children while mentoring students as a part of a community service project and entered Teach for America after receiving her bachelor’s degree. She taught 2nd grade for five years at Alfred Blalock Elementary School in Atlanta and then was an Early Intervention Program Coordinator and Instructor for two years at Atlanta’s Bolton Academy.
After obtaining a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA, and completing a Principal Residency in Brookline, MA, Ms. Bell embarked on a five-year career as a Principal within the Chicago Public School system. She first completed a year-long position as Resident Principal at E. Dunne Technology Academy (Chicago), where she was instrumental in creating a collaborative school-wide vision and strategy for implementing Common Core State Standards, as well as establishing a network of Chicago principals and teachers to better analyze and advance improved instructional practice.
Before being named Interim Principal at Takoma EC, Elena was principal of Peabody Watkins Elementary Schools at the Capitol Hill Cluster School. Ms. Bell is a native of Atlanta, GA, and lives by the conviction that if we teach at high levels, students will achieve at high levels. The foundation of her life’s purpose is to empower communities through education and service to others.