Meet Gray Carr Bridgers, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management, and Jeff Steele, Middle School Dean of Student Life!
Gray Carr Bridgers, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management
An experienced independent school administrator, Gray Carr joins Watershed after serving as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Wakefield School in Virginia for seven years where she was a member of the Senior Leadership Team, grew enrollment by 28%, and established a robust lower and middle school waiting list. She was also highly involved in student life through teaching yoga, wellness, and advising upper school students. Prior to her work in admissions, Gray Carr was Wakefield’s Communications & Marketing Coordinator and before working in the educational sector, Gray Carr was a regional and global sales and marketing manager for a scientific company.
A North Carolina native, Gray Carr earned her B.A. in Biology from Duke University and is currently finishing her M.ED. in Independent School Leadership from George Mason University.
Gray Carr is the proud mom of two sons, Jack, 21 and Benjamin, 19 years old, both of whom are currently in college. Here in Colorado, Tiki, a one-year-old labradoodle, will be at Gray Carr’s heels attending Watershed while Gigi, a grey rescue cat, will stay at home and keep the house calm!
While not at work, Gray Carr loves to be outdoors. She is a wildlife photographer and has traveled extensively to pursue this passion. She loves to ride horses, hike, and bike and is an avid scuba diver. Gray Carr is also a Master Yoga Instructor and will be teaching classes locally. Throughout her adult life, Gray Carr has always been involved in various community chambers and organizations, believing in the importance of giving back to the community in which you live. She can’t wait to explore all facets of the Boulder area!
Gray Carr reflects,
“Watershed embodies all that I love about student-centered and community centered schools. I know that Watershed’s model is the future of educating students and supporting the faculty to be curious and creative; problem solvers and kind. I am so excited about my new journey and I look forward to meeting everyone who supports this community.”
Jeff Steele, Middle School Dean of Student Life
Jeff is coming to Watershed from a ten year tenure at the Hyla Middle School on Bainbridge Island, WA where he served multiple roles including science and math teacher, Exploration Week wilderness trip leader and, most recently, as the director of an innovative makerspace called HyLab. Prior to that Jeff taught science at the Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin (gifted and talented program) and at Ballard High School, Kentucky. Jeff led multiple wilderness trips and mentored other environmental educators for the YMCA, and later served as the Teen Wilderness Expedition Director for the YMCA Camp Orkila in Washington.
Born and raised on the shores of the Puget Sound near Seattle, WA, Jeff earned a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a master's degree in education from Goddard College in Vermont where he wrote his thesis on, “Schools as Ecological Living Systems.”
Jeff's deep understanding of middle school students comes from a lifetime of learning and 10 years of experience with this age group. At the heart of Jeff's educational philosophy lies the belief that schools are at their best when they are igniting audacious adventures, nurturing boundless curiosity, and instilling an unwavering spirit of inquiry into the world and our place in it. The opportunity to align himself with the fundamental mission and values of a Watershed education fills him with immense enthusiasm. Jeff is also working to complete a certificate in school administration through Seattle University.
Jeff is also a father of three amazing children. Rowan, his eldest, will be attending Watershed this fall. Remy, his middle child, will be attending 2nd grade in Lafayette along with his youngest child, Mari, who is still in preschool. Jeff’s wife, Alyssa Knickerbocker is a ghost writer for Idea Architects in San Francisco.
When asked to talk about the most important work schools do, Jeff said,
“Schools play a crucial role in cultivating our awareness and understanding of risks - be they physical, emotional, academic, or social. By assessing the value of each risk, or lack thereof, we empower ourselves to navigate our own unique journey in life with purpose. Schools like Watershed foster an environment where calculated and guided risk-taking enables us to build a muscle memory for risks that can be our guide during life's toughest challenges.”
We are thrilled to welcome Gray Carr and Jeff to Watershed School’s administrative team!
