Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. has selected Penny Hairston, former Douglas MacArthur administrative intern and current assistant principal at James K. Polk Elementary School, to be the new principal of Douglas MacArthur Elementary School. 

Hairston, who will start in her new role as principal on July 1, rejoins MacArthur after serving five years as assistant principal at James K. Polk. She previously served four years as an administrative intern at MacArthur from 2011 to 2015 and has over two decades of teaching and administrative experience.

“I am delighted that one of our own homegrown leaders will assume this leadership role at Douglas MacArthur. Mrs. Hairston has actively demonstrated her commitment to ACPS, our students, our families and staff, and will be welcomed back to Douglas MacArthur as someone who already has a strong reputation in the community,” said Dr. Terri Mozingo, ACPS Chief Academic Officer.

Hairston began her career in education in 1996, serving as a fourth and fifth grade teacher who helped to open Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in 2000. She was selected as an administrative intern with ACPS in 2011 for James K. Polk and Douglas MacArthur. She served in the administrative intern role at James K. Polk and Douglas MacArthur Elementary Schools until her appointment in 2015 as assistant principal at Polk, where she currently works.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education and received her Masters in Educational Leadership in 2007 from the University of Mary Washington. 

“I am thrilled to return to Douglas MacArthur to be the next principal. It is my uncompromising view that all students can learn given a positive learning atmosphere, and I am looking forward to working with staff and parents at Douglas MacArthur to ensure just that,” Hairston said. 

The community at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School will have the opportunity to meet Ms. Hairston in July.