Principal & Assistant Principal

Watford City Middle School

Samantha Kaloustian
Principal
Samantha.Kaloustian@k12.nd.us

A little about Dr. Kaloustian:

I was born and raised here in Watford City, ND. My family farmed; my father also had a mechanic shop, and my mom would drive a school bus during the school year. I moved to Massachusetts after graduating from Watford City High School in 2007. I attended Fitchburg State University and majored in Middle School Math and Science Education. After graduating college in 2011, I began teaching 8th grade math in Fitchburg, MA, and working on completing my master's degree in Middle School Education. I received my master's degree in 2013 and I continued to teach in Fitchburg but switched from 8th-grade math to 6th-grade science. My husband, son, and I moved back to Watford City in 2016. I taught 7th-grade math here in Watford City until I became the Middle School Assistant Principal in 2022. I completed my Doctorate of Education from the University of North Dakota in December 2023.

My husband is originally from Marlborough, Massachusetts. We have four children, three boys and one girl, who are all very active in hockey. Our jobs and our children keep us very busy, but we love it and would never change it. I am very excited and fortunate to be back in Watford City.

Nate Purcell
Assistant Principal
nathaniel.purcell@k12.nd.us

A Little about Mr. Purcell:

A 2012 graduate of Jamestown High School, where he participated in wrestling, football, and track and field. Earned a BA in Information Technology from the University of Jamestown in 2016, where he also played a little college football. He later completed a BS in Business Education from Valley City State University in 2019 and an MA in Education, Educational Leadership from Concordia University St. Paul in 2026.

While attending the University of Jamestown, Mr. Purcell volunteered as a coach for the Jamestown High School wrestling team, spent one year coaching freshman football, and umpired slowpitch softball for several years.

Mr. Purcell taught 7 through 12 Business Education at Barnes County North from 2017 to 2023, serving as the head track and field coach and advising Prom, Yearbook, and Junior Class. He then taught Business Education at Jamestown High School from 2023 to 2025, coaching the throwers for the track and field team, coaching middle school wrestling, and advising Prom. During his time at Jamestown High School, he met his wife, Amber.

In his free time, Mr. Purcell enjoys playing slowpitch softball, watching movies, playing video games, and attending country music concerts with friends. He is also a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, a supporter of NDSU Bison football, and a proud member of the EL Zagal Shriners Jamestown Clowns.

Mr. Purcell lives in Watford City with Amber, who previously taught science at Jamestown High School and now teaches science at Watford City High School, and their beagle, Penny.