Bridget O'Connell ’95 MA’98 Ed.D.’07 comes from a family of educators, so it’s no surprise that she became an accomplished one herself. Today, she’s the longest-tenured superintendent in Bucks County and a three-time Lehigh graduate. Her career has been defined by a commitment to educating, leading, and strengthening her community.
Class Is In Session
Her journey began at Lehigh, where she competed in track and rowing. After graduating, O'Connell stayed to pursue her master’s degree and served as the graduate assistant for men’s and women’s sprints and hurdles. Coaching, she says, is just another version of teaching, so it felt like a natural fit.
“When I look back, having those experiences as a student athlete truly shaped me as a person and educator,” she says. “Graduate school shaped me as an educator and teacher. I got my doctorate in educational leadership, and my path has been running in tandem with Lehigh my whole career. I went to Lehigh, worked at Lehigh during graduate school, and I’m an adjunct at Lehigh. The school has supported me in expanding my sphere of influence and leadership in ways that I wouldn’t have expected as a student.”
In 1997, O'Connell joined Palisades High School as an English, social studies, and gifted education teacher while also coaching cross country. Just six years later, she became the school’s assistant principal. In 2004, she moved into the district office as assistant to the superintendent.
From Lesson Plans to Leadership
“I didn’t move into the administrative level to avoid the classroom,” she says. “I wanted to continue educating people beyond my classroom and provide professional development for faculty and staff.”
After two years away from Palisades, O’Connell returned as assistant superintendent. In 2011, she was named superintendent. She has held the position ever since.
“I believe in the power of public education,” she says. “Ninety percent of students throughout the nation go through the public education system, and the value of that education and what it does for people is what drives me.”
That commitment has meant embracing some of the most difficult challenges of her career. During the pandemic, for example, Palisades was open five days a week for in-person learning while simultaneously offering an online option.
“We were running two separate but related programs for our students at once,” she explains.
“It was teamwork that kept us going: our teachers, school board, administration, and community coming together. Being a college athlete and a coach, you champion teamwork every day. This was a huge example of teamwork in my career. There was constant communication and belief in what we were doing.”
As the superintendent of a rural school district, O’Connell sees her role as extending well beyond the school’s walls. The school serves as a focal point for the broader community.
“In a rural district, many employees are community members. But also, we facilitate a lot of conversations within the community,” she says. “There’s a community foundation, and they work to support the mission of the school district and the community. We also work with our state and federal legislators to make an impact on the local level and support public schools.”
Office Hours
In 2022, O’Connell was named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. She was also honored as a Patriot League Trailblazer of Distinction during the 50th anniversary of Title IX. She was also recognized by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association for her advocacy work on behalf of female student-athletes.
Even with those accolades and commitments, O'Connell continues to make time for the university that helped shape her.
In addition to serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education, she’s a class correspondent. She also encourages students to reach out to her for mentorship and to take advantage of the connections available to them through the Lehigh alumni network.
Her career may have taken her from the classroom to the upper levels of educational leadership, but the underlying mission has remained consistent: teach, support, lead, and make a difference.
In her free time, O'Connell prioritizes family, friends, and the occasional adventure, including trips to Lake Hydra for scuba diving.
“I’m never bored of my job,” she says. “Unexpected things are always happening, and that’s helped with longevity through my career. I bring people together for a common purpose, and that remains rewarding.”
