BELLA CURRAN | ACADEMIC DEAN The Odyssey School Bella Curran, M.S., has been named Academic Dean of The Odyssey School while continuing to serve as the school’s Head of Early Learning. In this role, Bella will provide oversight of curriculum, professional development, and teacher training across the school. During her 10 years at Odyssey, she has also served as Assistant Lower School Head, reading and writing tutor, and summer camp director. Additionally, Bella is an active member of the Odyssey Outreach team, helping to raise awareness of dyslexia in the community. What drew you to a career in education?As a child, I had a deep appreciation for school, learning, and reading. Books were a source of joy and curiosity for me from an early age. My younger brother had a very different school experience, and I struggled to understand why learning seemed so challenging for him. Once he was diagnosed with dyslexia and began receiving intervention, I witnessed a remarkable transformation in both his confidence and academic success. Seeing the impact that effective instruction could have on a student’s life inspired me to pursue a career in education. I wanted to help students who face similar challenges develop the skills, confidence, and lifelong love of learning that every child deserves. What sets your school apart?What sets Odyssey apart is our language-rich, highly individualized approach to learning. We believe that all teachers are teachers of language. While students receive 50 minutes of explicit reading and writing instruction each day, literacy development is woven throughout every subject—from math to science to art. Equally important is the sense of belonging students find here. At Odyssey, each student is deeply known, valued, and understood. Our teachers recognize how each child learns, and our students are surrounded by peers who share similar experiences. Many families tell us that Odyssey is the first place their child feels truly seen as a learner. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL This article is part of our 2026-2027 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools ...read more read less