A new principal has been named to lead Viewmont Elementary for the 2015-16 school year.

Melissa Hamilton will begin duties July 1 at Viewmont Elementary, after serving the past four years as a Provo School District elementary principal and nine years as an administrator in Cabon School District.

Superintendent Steven Hirase welcomes Melissa Hamilton to the Murray City District administrative team.

“Missy has a great reputation around the state for her contributions in raising student and educator achievement in schools where she has worked,” he said. “We look forward to having her become part of our school district.”

Hamilton said that she wants to review assessments on students to make sure the tests are ones that will give faculty information where they can analyze student performance.

“I want to ask if all the tests being given are ones that provide us with the data we know to best measure student learning,” she said. “If not, then we need to address that. We want to make sure each individual students’ needs are being addressed. If students are performing well and understand the subject, then we need to provide enrichment materials. If they have not yet mastered the subject, then we need to reteach it a different way with another teacher until they understand. I’m a passionate advocate for what is best for students and hope that can be embraced.”

Hamilton also wants to introduce a character education and leadership program for students that addresses relationships and leadership skills.

“We need the program to begin at kindergarten and introduce students to these skills, but also have a consistency where they are carried on through the sixth grade,” she said.

Hamilton, who is an avid mountain biker, a San Francisco 49ers fan and wants to travel to all 50 states, has her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, with the basic secondary education certification in geography, history and English as a second language. She earned a master’s degree in administration certification in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah and has her reading, math and ESL endorsements. She has worked both as a classroom teacher and administrator. 

She replaces Margaret Young as principal. Hamilton said that Young had been her mentor when they both worked in the Ogden School District. Young submitted her resignation effective at the end of the 2014-2015 school year so she could move to Florida to be nearer to her family.