After spending the past 10 years at Kathryn Winn Primary School, Danielle Hamilton is preparing to begin a new chapter in the building she already knows so well.
Hamilton has been named the school’s new principal after serving seven years as a kindergarten teacher and three years as an instructional coach at Kathryn Winn Primary.
She came to Kathryn Winn right out of college. Her path to school leadership grew naturally over time as she continued working with students and teachers.
“I decided I wanted to be a principal,” she said. “There was a cohort with the University of Louisville, so I did that and got my principal certification through there.”
Hamilton said her passion for education started with her own experiences as a student. She remembers struggling with reading when she was younger and credits a teacher with helping change her future.
“I was a struggling reader when I was younger and I had a teacher who changed my life,” Hamilton said. “Once I learned that, I knew I wanted to go to a district with kids in need and help them to read.”
As she transitions into the principal role, Hamilton said retiring principal Donna Monroe has helped make the process manageable and encouraging.
“Donna’s making the transition very smooth,” Hamilton said. “She’s taken me under her wing, helping me learn how to do everything. She’s making it a slow transition.”
She added, “Donna’s been so great, slowly letting go of my hand instead of throwing me to the wolves.”
Donna Monroe, the soon-to-be retired principal at Kathryn Winn, said “Danielle is the natural choice to continue leading Kathryn Winn. She has already earned the trust and respect of the staff, which will allow for a seamless transition with no lag time spent “getting to know” a new leader. Because of the strong relationships and credibility she has already built, Danielle will be able to step into the role and lead effectively from day one.”
Hamilton said one of her biggest goals for the upcoming school year is strengthening the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, particularly for students needing more significant interventions.
“How can you, in the moment, find those kids and correct what they’re not understanding and not let them slip in the cracks and fall even further behind,” Hamilton said.
She also hopes to continue improving support systems for students receiving special education services. Hamilton said the school is working to better match instruction and interventions with students’ individual goals and needs. She will also strive to expand proficiency scales into all content areas so students can better understand and take ownership of their learning.
“The leadership skills our students learn are, honestly, incredible,” Hamilton said. “My son is in first grade and I can see the growth he has made and the confidence he has is really helpful.”
She said the work already happening at Winn has made a noticeable difference for students academically, socially and emotionally.
“You see the growth in these kids and taking all that ownership and making their learning, it’s like growing the whole child,” Hamilton said. “It’s truly incredible to see the difference.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes said the district is very excited to welcome her as principal. “Her impact as an instructional coach with the teaching staff is leading to great gains in students being on grade level for reading and math. I look forward to working with her to continue KWP’s success for all students.”