Paul Watson has dedicated his entire 25 years in education to Cobb County students, and now he is returning to Bullard Elementary School, where it all began.

More than 20 years ago, he was one of the teachers who welcomed students to Bullard for the school’s inaugural year and then spent six years serving in the school community. This year, he will welcome students back to school as their new principal. 

“I am beyond thrilled to return to this wonderful community and continue to build upon the standards of academic excellence and level of community partnership that Bullard prides itself upon as we strive to live our school mission of being “a school of excellence, where ALL students succeed,” Principal Watson said. 

This new principal profile reveals what fuels Principal Watson's passion for education, his perspective on student success, and the places you might spot the veteran educator outside school.

Question: What most impresses you about the students at Bullard Elementary School?

Answer: “I am most impressed with the level of partnership between the school and community. There is a genuine love from the stakeholders that surrounds Bullard staff and students, and people can expect me to fully embrace that partnership so that we are all truly working together for the betterment of our students.”  

Question: What does student success look like to you?

Answer: “Student success can look very different from student to student because that success is individualized. Each student has their own personality, their own learning styles and, prior knowledge, their own background, and their own life experiences that shape who they are- even at a young age. Therefore, as educators, it is incumbent upon us to truly know each child so we can serve them in the most authentic style possible and help them reach their individual heights of success.” 

Question: What do you like most about being an educator and principal? 

Answer: “The thing I like most about being an educator and principal is that I get to shape the future through the lives of children. When I leave work every day, I feel fulfilled knowing that something I did today or something a teacher in the school did today genuinely changed someone’s life. Sometimes, those changes are immediately noticeable, and sometimes, you don’t see the fruits from that labor because the bloom happens years down the road. However, as a principal, knowing that there are hundreds of lives being made better every day in your building is a magical feeling, one that I don’t take for granted and feel blessed to experience.” 

Question: Outside school, where might students, parents, or staff members run into you?  

Answer: “Outside of school, you may see me on a tennis or pickleball court. You could definitely catch me at a local sporting event, as I am a huge Braves, Falcons, Bulldogs, United, and Hawks fan. However, most of the time, you will probably see me with my family, which consists of my wife, Shana, and our two beautiful daughters, Charlsey and Laney.”