Central School Welcomes New Principal

By Mary Ann McGann, Warren Township Schools

Warren, NJ – Branchburg educator Alison Watkins will join the Warren Township School District as the new principal of Central School on February 1.

The Board of Education approved Watkins’ appointment at its Dec. 21 meeting. Watkins, who currently is supervisor of language arts and humanities in Branchburg’s K-8 public school district, succeeds Janet Milita, who retired as Central School principal on Oct. 26. (Principal Katherine Griffith has served in the interim.)

“We are excited to welcome Ms. Watkins to our district and school community,” says Superintendent Elizabeth Nastus. “Ms. Watkins’ background and experience contribute to our Central School initiatives and commitment to students. I know that staff members are looking forward to working with Ms. Watkins.”

A former elementary school teacher in the Madison School District, Watkins began her supervisory role in Branchburg in 2013. In that position, she worked on a team that implemented a full day kindergarten program while developing and revising K-8 curriculum in language arts, social studies, world language, physical education, health, and library/media.

Watkins also provided support to K-5 staff in Branchburg with the implementation of the Teachers College Readers and Writers Workshop model, designed professional learning experiences for staff, and collected and analyzed student learning data to better inform decision making in curriculum and support programs.

“After spending the past few years in central office administration, I am excited to return to a building-based position and to be part of a school community and family,” says Watkins, a New Jersey native. “I was attracted to the Warren Township School District because of its tradition of excellence and its commitment to the students. The goals set forth in the strategic plan, as well as the mission of the district, resonate with my personal and professional values.”

Watkins says she looks forward to working with the students and their families, along with “the amazing professionals” at Central, to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead.

(Photo by Mary Ann McGann: Warren Township Schools Interim Superintendent Elizabeth Nastus (right) welcomes Alison Watkins, who will join the district on Feb. 1 as the new principal of Central School.)