Principal's Message
Dear Willow Creek Families,
It is both an honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope you had a restful and joyful summer. I am incredibly proud to begin my 20th year as principal of this amazing learning community and to continue supporting the students and families of Willow Creek.
At Willow Creek Elementary, our mission remains clear and unwavering: to foster academic excellence, support the social and emotional well-being of every student, and ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all—always through a strong commitment to equity. Our dedicated staff and active PTA are energized and excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year in true Tiger style!
To our new families—whether you’re joining us from within the district or relocating from another city, state, or country—we extend a heartfelt welcome. We believe you will soon discover what makes Willow Creek so special. Our educators, support staff, families, and educational partners are excited to have you join the Willow Creek family.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that Ms. Kathy Wood, previously our Dean of Students, has transitioned into the role of Assistant Principal. In addition, we welcome a new Emotional Support teacher, several paraprofessionals, and new kitchen staff to our team. For a welcome back letter from Ms. Wood, please click here.
Our staff is eager to meet their students and begin this year’s journey of learning, growth, and connection. Over the summer, they’ve been working diligently to finalize class lists, engage in professional development, and prepare classrooms and instructional plans—always with the goal of building academic success and a strong sense of belonging.
Our instructional focus continues to be on ensuring student proficiency in core academic areas. We will continue to refine Tier I instruction, use data to guide decisions, and implement thoughtful interventions based on student needs. Social-emotional learning (SEL) also remains a top priority. We will continue integrating Second Step, Responsive Classroom practices, restorative strategies, and other SEL supports to nurture empathy, resilience, and community.
In addition, we’ll provide targeted services and supports for neurodiverse learners through specialized instruction, counseling (as needed), and Tier II and Tier III interventions. Our goal is to empower all students to become self-directed learners, collaborative teammates, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens.
Please make sure to read our monthly Willow Creek newsletter Tiger Times for important updates from the school, PTA, and community partners. Newsletters will be posted on our school website.
We’re excited to invite you to our in-person Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, August 20, for grades K–4. The evening will begin with a short welcome video from Ms. Wood and me, followed by a classroom presentation from your child’s teacher. You'll learn more about the year’s curriculum, schedules, and classroom expectations. Please check the Willow Creek calendar for more information.
Our talented educators are the heart of your child’s academic experience, and our success is deeply enriched by our engaged parent community. We encourage you to get involved in the Willow Creek PTA, which helps fund field trips, assemblies, and classroom resources that directly benefit our students. To learn more and become a PTA member, please visit the Willow Creek PTA website.
As we begin this new school year, I’m excited to continue our collaboration in support of your child’s growth and success. We value our families as essential partners in education, and we are committed to fostering a learning community grounded in compassion, professionalism, and teamwork.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email or call the school office to schedule a time to talk. My door is always open—I welcome your ideas, input, and partnership.
Here’s to an amazing year ahead!
Your partner in education,
Michelle D. Jackson, Principal