Chantilly Principal Recognized As 2022 Outstanding New Principal

CHANTILLY, VA — The principal of Brookfield Elementary School in Chantilly was named Outstanding New Principal in the Fairfax County Public Schools system for the 2021-22 school year.

Ellen Mukai was recognized at the FCPS Honors event held June 8. The event, sponsored by Educate Fairfax, was hosted at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.

Five new school principals, including Mukai, were among the finalists for Outstanding New Principal in 2022.

"From her very first day at Brookfield, Ellen began fostering strong relationships with students, staff, and families, and established ways for the community to stay connected during the pandemic," FCPS said. "She listened and carefully crafted plans addressing the many needs expressed as students transitioned from virtual to in-person learning."

Under Mukai’s leadership, educators were inspired to adopt new practices to improve student outcomes, the school system said.

More than 700 employees in both instructional and operational roles are recognized through the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Program. This year, 71 finalists representing 12 categories were recognized during the special award ceremony.

Among the finalists this year, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said in his opening comments at the ceremony that there seems to be a common thread among the award winners: adaptability in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the return to classrooms and offices.