Principal's Page
Principal's Message
Mrs. Dziak: I began my career at Canon-McMillan over 26 years ago. Within those years, I have served as a third- and fifth-grade classroom teacher, an elementary assistant principal, a high school assistant principal and a building principal. As a Canon-McMillan graduate and as a parent who raised my daughters here, I am proud of the District‘s impact on education and community. My vision for Muse Elementary is for the school to remain a place where children learn and grow, all while experiencing the excitement of learning every day. We will also continue to strengthen our relationships among staff, students, families and the community.
By understanding our students’ strengths and weaknesses and seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing Muse Elementary from their perspective, we create a sense of value and belonging. Muse Elementary may look big, but we think small. At any given time, you can walk through our hallways and always expect to see smiling faces, receive a warm hello or even hear a story or two about someone’s day. There is a constant flow of students that fills the halls with warmth and excitement.
I am incredibly fortunate and appreciative to have the opportunity to work with children. Every day brings its challenges, but the most immense joy comes from spending time with the students. Whether they are reading a story, asking for help during lunch, sharing one of their concerns or just chatting about their day, the students are the best part about being a principal.
Mrs. McConnell: I have been with the District for 29 years. I first started as a teacher and have now been a principal. I am a proud graduate of Canon-McMillan, where my love and loyalty to the community have been at the heart of my work. I am a graduate of Bethany College, West Virginia University and California University of Pennsylvania. Over the past 29 years, I have served the Canon-McMillan School District as a special education teacher and school administrator.
Within the next five years, my vision for Muse Elementary School is for continual growth and improvement. Our focus is on a rigorous curriculum and a research-based instructional approach, with high expectations and an emphasis on social-emotional growth, as these are pivotal to the development of the whole child.
By building genuine connections with our staff members, we strive to ensure that all students feel welcomed, valued and included at Muse Elementary School. We take pride in assigning the right group of students to the right teachers and promoting the value of relationships among our staff. As principal leaders, we live by example in building meaningful connections with our students as well. Our students develop genuine relationships with our professional staff, support staff and ourselves.
At Muse Elementary School, the culture of the building fosters a small, close-knit environment. We are a big school with a big heart, with a "small school" feel.
What I enjoy most about being a principal in the Canon-McMillan School District is the feeling of being at home. After all of these years in various buildings, my connections with students, staff members and the community at large continue to grow. The opportunity to dedicate a professional career of service to your home community, while helping to develop and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow, is extraordinary.
