Dishing out high fives and soothing teary-eyed kindergarteners in the morning drop-off line is all part of the job for the new Muldown Elementary principal. 

The students have made the first few days of school amazing, said Principal Jennifer Santora.  

"From the very first moment I stepped on campus, the kids have been giving me hugs, and, 'You're the new principal! We haven't had a girl principal!" she said.  

"I was excited to continue the great work that Mr. [John] Coyne did here and pick up the amazing culture that is Muldown. It's like a family here, so I felt welcomed from day one."  

Santora says she sees her role as an "end goal."  

Raised in Brooklyn, New York, she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She later went to college in Florida and began her career teaching third and fourth grade.  

"I spent 14 amazing years in the classroom, which has given me a strong foundation to know and understand what our students and teachers need," Santora said.  

She said her heart felt pulled to impact and support other teachers, so she earned an educational leadership degree and became a district curriculum specialist. She then spent four years as an assistant principal at an elementary school in Manatee County, Florida. 

"I quickly realized how much I missed being at the school, and I wanted to continue my leadership impact at a place to call home. So, I became an assistant principal. I worked with some amazing leaders and also was able to home in on my instructional leadership."  

Ready for the next step, Santora then earned a principal certificate, an above and beyond qualification for which there isn't a standardized equivalent in Montana.  

Santora's husband had already relocated to Kalispell to work with Glacier Bank. When the principal position opened at Muldown, Santora was eager to apply. The Whitefish School Board approved her hiring in April. 

The Santoras' daughter is a freshman at Montana State University, and their son is a senior at Glacier High School in Kalispell. 

Santora started her new role on July 1. She has found the district's leadership and the Muldown staff to be very supportive.  

"We've started to come together and build a community of educators here that is always putting students first," she said. "I'm looking forward to continuing that work throughout the year. When we get together we talk instruction, curriculum, and diving into how to build deeper relationships with students. We're supporting each other."  

As a leader, Santora describes herself as a servant and instruction focused.  

"I'm always willing to help in whatever capacity, to lift a hand when needed," she said. "I think that's an important leadership style to have, because we're serving our community. We're serving our next generation of leaders."  

Santora is also eager to embrace the Whitefish community.  

"Every day I wake up and I drive into work early, and I see that beautiful glow over the mountains. It's special," she said.  

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.

    At a "popsicles with the principal" event prior to starting school at Muldown Elementary. (Photo provided)
  

    Muldown Elementary Principal Jennifer Santora hands out high fives at the beginning of the school day on Friday, Sept. 4. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)