Angela and Carl Bird, who have been married for more than five years, decided to earn their master’s in educational leadership at CSE. Both teachers at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS), the Birds embarked on this journey together because each recognized the untapped potential in the other.
This degree is the second masters for Angela, and the third for Carl – his second from the College of Saint Elizabeth. This program provides Carl, Angela and other CSE students the tools and preparation necessary to become school leaders and assist students in larger roles beyond the classroom as educational supervisors and principals.
“Carl is such a positive presence in the classroom. The students connect with his personality and sense of humor,” explains Angela. “He’s a great role model and would be perfect in an administrative role.”
“Angela has such a passion for the arts and has created a truly safe space in her program for her students,” says Carl. “She really embodies the concept of social and emotional learning.”
As a music teacher, Angela feels a deep sense of appreciation for the arts. She believes it reduces stress for students by enabling them to connect with other kids who share those same passions. She hopes to use her master’s degree to rise to an administrative role in order to enact real change within the arts department.
The arts have become a vital part of the Birds’ lives. In fact, they never would have met without it.
“We both were working at [WHRHS] and volunteered to help the former choir teacher with one of his concerts. He took us out to dinner as a thank you and the rest is history,” recalls Carl.
The pair will finish their educational journey just three months before starting an entirely different chapter of their lives: parenthood.
“We’re expecting our first child in August,” says Carl. “We just found out that it’ll be a boy!”
Learn more about CSE’s master’s in educational leadership here: https://www.cse.edu/maedlead.
