New Assistant Principal at Wells

Samantha Rivera is the new Assistant Principal at Wells, and she couldn’t be more grateful to be working in a school she loves so much.

“Wells has such a positive energy when you walk in. The people at Wells are like family. I don’t see them as colleagues. I have felt this way since my first day in Brewster.”

This is Rivera’s fifth year at Wells. She began her career at the school teaching sixth-grade math before moving to eighth-grade math. It’s no surprise that math has always been a passion of hers.

“Growing up, I was that kid playing Sudoku on car rides,” Rivera said.

Now, in her new role as Assistant Principal, Rivera is especially excited about making connections with students, teachers, administrators and families.

“I like to be in the hallways, connecting with students when they are at their lockers. Just waiting for the buses to arrive in the mornings is great—students have shared about their first few days of school. Having those genuine conversations is what I want to do.”

And some of her former students are already getting used to seeing Rivera in a new role.

“Some of my students have reached out to congratulate me. Others have asked me where my classroom is this year—they had no idea I’m in a new position.”

Rivera has been involved at nearly every level of BCSD. In addition to teaching, she has served on the Strategic Planning Committee for Vision 2030, participated in Tri-States and even coached boys modified soccer.

One of the programs she is particularly excited about this year is PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Rivera will help roll out the program at Wells toward the end of the month.

“The Bears Bucks and Grizzly Bucks program is a great way to get students positively involved and excited at Wells. We have teachers and students on the committee, and we are looking forward to new prizes and incentives.”

While Rivera is excited about what lies ahead professionally, one of the most meaningful moments of her journey was sharing the news of her new position with her parents.

“My parents were so emotional when I told them. My mom immigrated here from Guatemala when she was a teen, and although neither of my parents completed a college program, they were always incredibly supportive of my education. I am one of the few people in my family to earn a college degree and continue on to masters’ programs. I like to get things done, but I truly don’t think they ever believed this would happen so soon. Calling my parents to tell them that I got the job was one of the best moments of my life.”

Over the summer, Rivera was also part of the team that developed Wells’ new call to action: “Grow through what you go through… because it’s the journey that matters.”

It’s a message that seems fitting for Rivera’s own journey. From a math-loving student who played Sudoku on car rides, to a classroom teacher, coach, committee member and now Assistant Principal, Rivera continues to grow through every new opportunity.

Wells is lucky to have her.