The Arlington School Board appointed Dr. Melaney Mackin as the new Principal of Carlin Springs Elementary School at its Sept. 24 meeting. Dr. Mackin currently serves as the principal at Silverbrook Elementary School in Fairfax County.
“Dr. Mackin not only brings a wealth of experience in working with a diverse community of English Language Learners, but she also has enthusiasm for the principal position and a love of learning and working with students, teachers and parents,” said Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán. “Dr. Mackin is a resident of Arlington and looks forward to serving in her community.”
Dr. Mackin brings over 35 years of experience in education to Arlington Public Schools. She began her teaching career with Houston City Public Schools and has taught in Mississippi, both diverse school settings in the inner city, before relocating to Northern Virginia. Dr. Mackin also served as Principal of Camelot Elementary School in Fairfax. Throughout her years as a teacher, Dr. Mackin has taught every elementary grade as well as English as a Second Language classes. As a principal, she has learned much about leadership and gained extensive experience working with staff, students, and parents.
She received a Bachelor of Arts from S.U.N.Y Cortland in Elementary Education and Secondary Social Studies; a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Charlotte.
As a principal in Fairfax County, Dr. Mackin served a term as the president of the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals (FAESP), and received several awards, including: Outstanding Principal of the Year 2017 of the South County Pyramid; Top Rated Principal for 2015 by the Fairfax Federation of Teachers (FCFT); and was recently nominated for Outstanding Elementary Administrator 2020 by the Special Education PTA (SEPTA) of FCPS.
As the newly appointed principal at Carlin Springs Elementary School, Dr. Mackin will continue to work with the PTA and school staff to establish opportunities in the community and seek additional means of reaching out to ensure an inclusive environment where all feel welcome.
Dr. Mackin’s appointment begins on November 1.
