School Leadership

Dr. Bridget O'Donnell

EMAIL: ODONNELLB@pcsb.org

Bridget O’Donnell is the Administrator of Clearwater Adult Education Center providing access to over 2800 adult learners yearly from the middle half of Pinellas County to the northern Pinellas County border.  She has over twenty-five years in education serving as a middle school and high school teacher, an academic advisor at St. Petersburg College, a GED teacher, and a Coordinator in adult education.  She was part of the administrative team that ran Dixie Hollins Adult Education Center, the oldest and most successful adult school in Pinellas County, and she was part of the team chosen to open Clearview Adult Education Center, only the second standalone adult school in Pinellas County.  Bridget has served as the Administrator of Clearwater Adult Education Center since 2021-2022 and is proud to be a part of the amazing team of teachers and staff who support our wonderful adult learners. Adult educators are a critical part of Pinellas County Schools and change lives daily. The CAEC teachers and staff have the unique power of the multiplying effect… they change the lives of our adult learners, and those adults change the lives of their children and their families. Over the past five years, CAEC has seen an increase of diplomas earned by over 300%, created a STARs Program for ESOL students between the ages of 16-21 supporting the unique needs of this age group, started an IET Accounting Program in partnership with Pinellas Technical College, and served over 13,000 students in ESOL, ABE, GED, Adult High School and co-enrolled students at seven partner high schools. CAEC continues to support adult learners as they transition to Pinellas Technical College, St. Petersburg College, and the workplace.

Bridget is a product of Pinellas County Schools attending Bauder Elementary, Seminole Middle School, and Seminole High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University (GO NOLES!!), a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida, and a Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law.  She earned graduate credits from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and has been published in the Media and American Democracy Teacher’s Guide, a resource guide published by the Bill of Rights’ Institute and Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. 

Bridget believes in building a strong team and allowing that team to create a positive environment for learning to take place.  She loves traveling, all sports, and helping others believe they are capable of taking the next step of their journey.