[Updated] Karen Kukish Named Principal of Whiting Lane Elementary School

Following the announcement of a new principal for Hall High School, the West Hartford Schools announced another principal appointment. Karen Kukish, who has been the interim principal at Whiting Lane Elementary School since last fall, was named the principal.

In introducing Kukish at a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, Superintendent Karen List said, "I have never been deluged by faculty with [positive] letters like I have been in her short tenure at Whiting Lane."

This was List's message to parents earlier in the day:

Dear Whiting Lane Families and Faculty, 

Over the last several months we have collaboratively worked together in a process that identified the needs of Whiting Lane School as staff and the parent community have identified them. With that information we created a profile of the characteristics, experiences, human qualities, and leadership style of the principal that would lead Whiting Lane into the future. The process has been time-tested, including relying on your insights into the needs of the school. Each step of the way the candidates were held to the test of meeting the profile. At the conclusion of the committee interviews, a finalist emerged who more closely met the profile than any other candidate. Tonight, April 9th, I will inform the Board of Education that I am appointing Ms. Karen Kukish as the new principal of Whiting Lane School. I do so with great enthusiasm and optimism. You clearly knew the needs of Whiting Lane, and in the end the process and her interim tenure identified and validated the person who will serve the school well.

  Ms. Kukish began her career in West Hartford as a sixth grade teacher, and then became a team leader. In 2007 she became an assistant principal at King Philip Middle School. She has served as interim principal at Whiting Lane since November, 2012. She attended the University of Connecticut completing her B.S. in elementary education, M.A. in education and 6th year in educational leadership. Her caring, positive rapport coupled with her passion for curriculum, instruction, and professional development have endeared her to the faculty. Families have appreciated her openness, listening and communication skills, visibility, and advocacy for every child. She is described as kind, knowledgeable, approachable, responsive, empathetic, patient, consistent and hard-working. 

Ms. Kukish’s enthusiasm, collaborative style, problem-solving skills, high expectations for academic rigor, and absolute delight in the children she serves make her an excellent match for the caring community of Whiting Lane School. She is a life-long learner dedicated to continuous improvement. Please join me in congratulating her as she transitions from interim principal to principal. My best wishes to each of you for a wonderful spring and summer and the promise that the new school year will bring.

Kind regards,

Karen L. List  Superintendent