Growing up in Arlington, Virginia, Mr. Watson always had teaching in the back of his mind. His lifelong love for English class eventually led him to James Madison University (JMU), where he minored in creative writing, a choice that made his passion for the subject even stronger.

After graduating, he moved to Loudoun County and spent a year and a half working as a substitute teacher in local high schools. This hands-on experience ultimately inspired him to pursue the career full-time. Though he interviewed at several different schools, Kettle Run stood out immediately. “I was very comfortable at the interview, and just walking in… felt like home,” he recalls.

Mr. Watson currently teaches ninth and eleventh-grade English, and he is looking forward to adding tenth grade to his schedule next semester. In the classroom, he prioritizes critical thinking and hopes to help students navigate the modern challenges of AI. “English isn’t just teaching you to read a book,” he explains. “It gives you the tools for life.”

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Watson enjoys playing PC video games, watching movies, reading, and writing. He frequently bonds with fellow English teachers over lunch to discuss shared interests. An avid comic book fan, he loves it when students stop by to borrow a graphic novel from his classroom shelf. Finally, as a former high school alto saxophone player, he leaves his students with one crucial piece of wisdom: “To all band kids, wear hearing protection!”