Michelle M. Pukita is the new principal at Manawa Elementary School.
The appointment was approved by the Manawa School Board at its regular meeting on Monday, April 27.
“After a thorough, multi-step MES principal search and interview process, we are pleased to have such a talented and enthusiastic person join the School District of Manawa leadership team,” said District Administrator Dr. Melanie Oppor. “Mrs. Pukita brings a wide array of assets that will enrich both Manawa Elementary School and our community.”
Pukita is currently a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in the Kenosha Unified School District in Kenosha.
At Jefferson Elementary, she has also served as the principal’s designee when the principal is away from the building. In this role, Pukita has had a variety of practical experiences in attending to student needs, corresponding with parents, leading school committees, and carrying on the daily functions of an elementary school.
Pukita was selected from a candidate pool of 36 applicants. She participated in two rounds of interviews that included a variety of district stakeholders including parents, teachers, support staff, the administrative team and community members.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Marion University in Fond du Lac, majoring in early childhood/elementary education with a minor in athletic coaching. She received her Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University in Wheeling, Illinois.
Pukita holds Wisconsin licenses for the roles of principal, director of instruction, elementary/middle level regular education teacher and coaching athletics.