Seattle Public Schools today announced new principals for two schools with students from the Phinney-Greenwood area.
Melissa Schweitzer is leaving her job as assistant principal at Whitman Middle School to become principal at Whittier Elementary School. Current principal Linda Robinson is retiring at the end of the school year.
Schweitzer has previously been an instructional coach, and a Special Education teacher at Meany Middle School and Seattle Children’s Home.
She holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado and earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Evansville. She has Washington State Administrative Certification.
Ms. Schweitzer was selected after a hiring process that included input from staff and families. The selection team committee was particularly impressed with her strong background in instructional support and leadership for excellence in student learning, as well as her commitment to the vision of the Whittier community.
Michelle Ota is leaving her assistant principal post at Salmon Bay K-8 School in Ballard to become principal at Viewlands Elementary School.
Michelle Ota previously served as professional development coordinator at Meany Middle School, as outreach coordinator for the Puget Sound Writing Project, and as a STAR mentor for Seattle Public Schools. She taught sixth grade language arts and social studies at TOPS, and middle school social studies in the Spectrum program at Washington Middle School.
She holds a Master in Education from Western Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She earned a principal certificate from Western Washington University and holds a Washington State Administrative Certification.
Both Schweitzer and Ota begin their new jobs on July 1.
