Dear McAlpine Elementary School Community, 

I am honored to have the privilege of serving as your principal! Welcome to "The Nest", where our Eagles are SOARING to EXCELLENCE each and every day! 

At McAlpine, we value the rich traditions of academic and social/emotional excellence that have lived within these walls for several years. I am thrilled to continue supporting the dynamic learning environment in our school, where every student matters and every moment counts! We believe in the importance of educating the whole child and providing unique learning opportunities with a personalized approach. Our students participate in daily special area classes, including Spanish, and engage in rigorous learning opportunities while working in small groups to enhance their communication and collaboration skills each day. 

Our school fosters community among students and staff through a house system. Every student and staff member is welcomed into their house (Heshima, Hashiki, Ruya, or Fadhila) when they come to McAlpine! Cross-aged buddies are created through this system and lasting relationships are formed! 

McAlpine has a history of academic excellence. Our teachers believe strongly in using data to drive their decisions and meet the individualized needs of their students. Our students work closely with their teachers and are provided with personalized support each day. 

The partnership between home and school is a critical component to student success. We offer several opportunities throughout the year for families to volunteer and participate in fun events. Please register as a CMS volunteer each year! You will also need to bring a photo ID to sign in as an additional safety measure. 

Lastly, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I am originally from New Jersey and graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. After graduating, I had the unique opportunity of serving in my hometown district as an assistant band director prior to moving to Charlotte. I began my career in CMS as an elementary music teacher at Endhaven Elementary School, then transitioned to Collinswood Language Academy where I taught elementary general music and directed the middle school choir program. I began my leadership journey during this time and graduated from Winthrop University with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. I served as the Dean of Students at East Mecklenburg High School and Assistant Principal at Hawk Ridge Elementary School prior to joining McAlpine Elementary School as your principal.

My diverse background has supported my ability to look at education through a global lens. It has taught me that every student can grow and learn, and that every child has a gift. It is our job as educators to nurture the many talents of our students and expose them to a variety of opportunities that support their growth, both academically and socially. I have gained the necessary tools to best serve our school community and believe strongly in building meaningful relationships, based on trust, while including the voices of our stakeholders in the decisions we make to create a sense of ownership in coming together to achieve a shared vision for our school. 

I am excited to get to know the students, staff, and families who will be joining our Eagle community!

Sincerely,

Kristen McGuirk