The Ann Arbor Public Schools released the names of three new elementary school principals recently hired to fill vacancies in the district.
One of the principals is brand new to the Ann Arbor schools, another is returning to the district after a brief hiatus and the third has been a teacher and instructional leader in the district for more than 20 years, district officials announced Wednesday in a statement.
Former Logan Elementary School teacher Hyeuo Park was named the new principal of Bach Elementary School. Current Bach principal, Shelley Bruder, chose to retire this month after 37 years working in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Park has been serving in Dexter as principal of Creekside Intermediate School, which houses grades 5-6, since August 2010, but he is eager to return to AAPS, school officials said.
He has a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor's degree from Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Md. In addition to teaching in Ann Arbor, he also previously taught in Seoul, Korea, and the Montgomery County Public Schools in Bethesda, Md.
Taking over the helm at Burns Park Elementary School, following the retirement of Principal Virginia Bell, is longtime AAPS teacher Chuck Hatt. Hatt is the literacy and social studies coordinator for the district. He also previously was a teacher at Bryant, Pattengill, Allen and Mitchell elementaries and Scarlett Middle School.
Hatt received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Houston and his master's degree in English and elementary education from EMU.
The incoming Pattengill Elementary School principal is new to the Ann Arbor district. School officials said she brings many years of experience with her to AAPS.
Melita Alston will fill the vacancy left open by Che Carter, who was appointed to serve as the principal of Clague Middle School.
Alston most recently served as principal of Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse in Detroit. She also has been an assistant principal in the Detroit Public Schools and the Chicago Public Schools. She has a master's degree in educational leadership from Wayne State University and attended the University of Michigan for her bachelor's degree.
Ann Arbor schools officials said the public will have an opportunity to meet and greet these three individuals at events later in August before the school year is back in session.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.