Many Hockinson Middle School students will be welcomed by a familiar face this fall. Meredith Gannon, who has served as an Associate Principal at HHES since 2017, will be the next HMS Principal. Gannon will replace Brian Lehner, who left HMS after 6 years in the role to work in the Education Department at Washington State University-Vancouver.
Prior to coming to Hockinson, Gannon was an instructional coach for two years in the Battle Ground School District and an elementary and middle school teacher and math coach for ten years in the Vancouver School District. Gannon has had a distinguished instructional career. Besides being a National Board Certified Teacher, she won the AmGen Award for Science Teaching Excellence in 2010 and the President’s Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2014.
Gannon comes from a family of educators. Her grandmother and mother were teachers and her husband is a middle school Language Arts-Social Studies teacher. Even her two children are involved in education - albeit as high school students. Her son is an incoming junior and her daughter is an incoming freshman.
When asked about her new role, Gannon was quick to express appreciation for the opportunity saying, “I have been so fortunate to have been part of the HHES community for the past four years. I have loved it. I am excited that I get to remain a Hornet at our middle school.”
Gannon listed off a few of her goals and hopes for HMS. First and foremost, she is interested in building relationships with staff, students, and parents and finding ways to enhance the HMS school culture. Gannon is optimistic that her years at HHES will help her to hit the ground running: “I’m so excited to extend the relationships I have with HHES students and families to the middle school.” She added, “I am equally excited to get acquainted with new students. We will be learning about HMS together.”
Gannon embraces the “middle” in middle school. "Middle school is unique because its students have two in-district transitions: A transition from the elementary school and again to the high school," she said. "I think my experience at HHES will help ease the transition from 5th Grade and I am eager to create a smooth transition for our outgoing 8th Graders to HHS.”
While she is moving up in grade level, Gannon’s commitment to student learning remains unchanged. “I am passionate about creating learning opportunities so every student can experience growth and success. I really believe there is a pathway for every student to be successful at HMS, HHS, and beyond,” says Gannon.
Although it is June, Gannon is ready for the school year to start: “I cannot wait to partner with our staff and community to help make great things happen for our students.”
HMS parents will have the chance to learn more about their new principal and the school’s involvement opportunities later this summer. Gannon is planning to host a Meet the Principal event this August.