CARLSBAD --- Marg Watson, Aviara Oaks Middle School's newest principal, knows a thing or two about brains.

A doctoral candidate in organizational leadership at Laverne University, the 52-year-old Carlsbad resident completed her coursework on July 8 and will defend her dissertation on cognitive neuroscience this fall.

"It's about how the brain works and how to bring that into instruction," said Watson, who was named last week principal of the south Carlsbad middle school.

Watson taught middle school math at Aviara Oaks, served as assistant principal there and returns as principal after leading Magnolia Elementary since 2003. Watson has been an educator since 1983.

"Middle school is my niche," Watson said. "I love these kids."

Torrie Norton, Carlsbad's associate superintendent of personnel, said Watson's expertise as a seasoned educator and researcher steeped in the workings of the human brain will make her a powerful leader of teachers and students.

With just five years in school by the time students reach sixth grade, and another four years to graduation after eighth grade, middle school students have one foot in childhood and the other stepping toward adulthood.

"It's a very short time that we have them," she said, "and they're growing by leaps and bounds, both physically and mentally. I enjoy nurturing those characteristics and that knowledge."

Watson said current research suggests that environment and genetics share an equal role in shaping the brain's abilities. Her challenge, she said, is to create a school environment that maximizes her students' innate abilities. How to convert brain research into classroom practice is the key -- and the basis of her doctoral work, Watson said.

Watson said she will use the upcoming academic year to observe the existing processes of the school and get to know the teachers -- about half of whom remain from her days as assistant principal there. Watson said teachers should have time to plan lessons together and compare notes on individual students.

She is a believer in dividing the overall school population into "small learning communities" called villages. These smaller villages, educational researchers say, help students develop deeper relationships with students and teachers. With fewer students to oversee, teachers can develop connections with individuals, serving as mentor and adviser.

"I want to make sure that every student has an adult on campus they get to know very well," Watson said.

The daughter of a factory worker and a homemaker who both valued education, Watson said she "can't think of another profession she'd rather be in" -- except maybe marine biology, but only if she could teach it. Watson said she loves the ocean and enjoys warm-water scuba diving with her husband, a retired Navy submariner and technical writer.

A Michigan native who lived in a cabin on a lake until she was 15, Watson said she grew up fishing with her brother. She said she promised to learn fly fishing after defending her dissertation this fall.

Contact staff writer Philip K. Ireland at (760) 901-4043 or pireland@nctimes.com. To comment go to nctimes.com.