The Region 5 Leadership Team is pleased to announce that Ms. Ellen Mukai has been named the new principal for Brookfield Elementary School.

Ms. Mukai has most recently served as the assistant principal at Saratoga Elementary School (2018 to present).  Prior to that, Ms. Mukai was the Manager for the School-Based Technology Specialist Program (Division-Wide) from 2015-2018. From 2013-2015, Ms. Mukai was the assistant principal at Forestdale Elementary School.  Before serving the Forestdale community, Ms. Mukai was the Manager for the Best Practices for Teaching and Learning Program (Division-Wide) from 2010-2013. Ms. Mukai also served as an Instructional Technology Specialist-Elementary (Division-Wide) from 2008-2010, and as a School-Based Technology Specialist at Fairfax Villa Elementary from 2005-2008. Prior to that, Ms. Mukai taught 5^th grade at Centre Ridge Elementary; 3^rd & 4^th grades at Canterbury Woods Elementary; and 5^th grade at London Towne Elementary.  She began her teaching career as an 8^th grade teacher at Hillsville Middle School in Hillsville, VA.

Ms. Mukai brings a variety of experiences to Brookfield Elementary School. In addition to the leadership skills she has garnered from her time as an assistant principal in two different elementary schools, her background in instructional technology has proven to be an invaluable resource in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing school closure, and implementation of virtual/distance learning structures.  During her time as an Instructional Technology Specialist-Elementary (Division-Wide), Ms. Mukai engaged in meaningful professional development programs such as Cognitive Coaching and Advanced Coaching.  These valuable learning experiences provided her with strategies to support planning and reflecting conversations that allowed for the adoption and implementation of digital resources throughout FCPS.  In addition, she supported the adoption of division applications such as FCPS 24-7, Horizon, and eCART. At her current school, Ms. Mukai identified trends in discipline data and developed targeted strategies to support a reduction in referrals and disproportional discipline practices, while promoting more positive student behaviors.  She developed an assessment calendar that allowed for ongoing instruction, progress monitoring, and interventions to support student needs.  This new calendar also allowed for more equitable educational practices and was more culturally sensitive to the students and families served in the Saratoga community.  In addition, Ms. Mukai led the creation and implementation of Saratoga’s Distance-Learning Plan (during the COVID-19 school building closure) which maintained an average daily attendance rate of seventy-eight percent of K-6 students.  While serving as the assistant principal at Forestdale ES, Ms. Mukai spearheaded the creation and implementation of a comprehensive family engagement plan which resulted in a fifty percent increase in attendance at family school events.  Ms. Mukai’s creativity, vision, and collaboration in a variety of leadership roles has resulted in educators adopting school and classroom strategies that lead to Portrait of a Graduate outcomes for all students.  Ms. Mukai has proven to be an effective and talented instructional leader.  She is eager to deepen her relationships with all stakeholders as she serves the Brookfield community in her new role.

Ms. Mukai holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Childhood Development from Virginia Tech, a Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University, and a Postgraduate Professional License, Endorsement in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ellen Mukai as the new principal of Brookfield Elementary School.  She will be assuming the position on Monday, July 20, 2020.