Principal Bill Wehrli

Bill has over 30 years of experience in education, 20 of those as a leader in three schools here in Western MA. In addition, for seven years he was associate director for accreditation and school improvement with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Bill started his career in education as an English and social studies teacher in northern California after several years as a carpenter and cabinet builder. Most recently, he has worked as a school/leadership coach, helping school leaders improve students’ learning, achievement, well-being, and school experiences. Bill has a BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University and a MEd from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. 

Bill lives in Amherst with his wife and a mini poodle, Luna. His children are out in the world working in schools and libraries. When possible, Bill enjoys backpacking and reading speculative fiction. 

“I have always loved middle schools. My experience in junior high was far from ideal (2700 students, 900 in a grade, classes in the 30s). I know how important these years are. At these ages, we are exploring our identities, developing an understanding of our roles in our communities, and building foundational skills necessary for success in life. If we are doing our job well as educators, we focus on transferable skills including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. And, we ask our students to grapple with what it means to be a good person, who we want to be in the world, and what we can contribute. That is a lot!”