Side-by-side portraits introduce Arbor Elementary School Principal LaWanda Prettyman, left, and Assistant Principal Velma Bell-Clark, right, for Ohio Principals Month.

Meet Arbor’s Principals - Ohio Principal's Month

Euclid Schools

October 30, 2026

For Ohio Principals Month, Arbor Elementary School celebrated Principal LaWanda Prettyman and Assistant Principal Velma Bell-Clark. Each shared the moment that first drew her to teaching.

For Mrs. Prettyman, it started on her front porch, where she played teacher with her younger sister and her sister’s friends. Today, she wants Arbor students to see what she sees in them. “I want our students to understand that their possibilities are greater than they may realize,” she said.

Ms. Bell-Clark found her way to education as a parent volunteer. In her children’s school library, she discovered how much she enjoyed sharing books with young readers. That experience inspired her to become an educator.

Arbor Principal LaWanda Prettyman says, “I want our students to understand that their possibilities are greater than they may realize.” Ms. Bell-Clark speaks at a school event. She says, “I became an educator after volunteering as a parent in my children’s school library, where I discovered my love for sharing the joy of reading.”

A ninth-grade portrait shows Ms. Bell-Clark smiling in a red top. At the time of the spotlight, she was looking forward to welcoming her 15th grandchild. Mrs. Prettyman hugs a student. She says, “Even as a little girl, I would sit on the front porch and teach my younger sister and her friends. That little girl playing teacher was already discovering her purpose.”

LaWanda Prettyman shares, “I love to sing! I grew up with four sisters, and my parents have been married for 61 years.”