This year, the school welcomes back a familiar face to the Spartan community.
Michael Mukai was named as WS’ principal shortly before the start of this school year. He brings a great deal of experience, having worked for WS in the past and FCPS for nineteen years. He also brings a strong educational background.
Mukai attended high school at Thomas Jefferson, and was part of the first graduating class for the magnet school. He went on to study chemistry and physics at Virginia Tech, wrestling for VT, and eventually earning a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. However, he did not always know that he wanted to pursue a career in education.
“Much like the other TJ kids, I thought I wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. I was actually doing research in a lab funded by NASA when I figured out that it wasn’t me,” said Mukai.
Mukai found his way to FCPS through the wrestling program he worked for while studying at VT. Coaching stayed a passion for Mukai; he went on to be a head football, wrestling, lacrosse, and girls’ volleyball coach before he had to give up coaching to pursue administrative jobs. Mukai also taught at various FCPS schools. He made his WS debut in 1995, teaching summer school chemistry in Ms. Phillips’s room.
“I’m a nerd so I love math and science. I loved working with kids to help them understand how things work,” said Mukai.
In addition to teaching and coaching, Mukai has had several administrative jobs across FCPS, including Associate Principal and Administrative Specialist. He hopes all of this experience will help him address WS’ needs.
“When you want to be a principal, people need you to understand all aspects of the school,” said Mukai. “I’ve been an ADSA, Assistant principal, and more. I’ve gotten to play all of these different roles, so I have a great sense of what it’s like to be a teacher or student in FCPS.”
Mukai stresses an open door policy. He wants students and teachers to feel comfortable stopping him in the hallway or coming into his office to tell him what they’re thinking. Mukai’s goal is to be “the top custodian in the building.” Rather than an inaccessible rule-maker, he wants to be the person that someone goes to when they need a problem to be fixed.
“I want to be able to provide everybody with the resources to be the best that they can be,” said Mukai.
This year, WS students should get a break from the sometimes-confusing policy changes that have come with new principals in the past.
“For my first year, I’m not looking to make dramatic changes. I just want to support what we’re doing because WS is doing so well,” said Mukai.
The WS administration is having a hard time “getting in their groove,” especially since the school is still missing an Assistant Principal. They should have a full team by October 1st, and they seem to be optimistic about the new principal.
“If you have a lot of experience and vision, and you can articulate that vision to people, it works,” said Assistant Principal Becky Brandt, referring to Mukai.
Mukai is also excited for the new year; he looks forward to working with the WS administration as well as the teachers and students. At the first pep rally of the year, Mukai pumped up WS students by leading a school-wide “I believe that we will win” chant that students will surely remember.
“WS is a school of great work and even greater potential,” said Mukai. “With the right people working together, we can reach that potential.”