LeAnne Kannapell Continues Administrative Career at Oakton High

LeAnne Kannapell has always had a passion for education, particularly special education. Ask her to explain it, though, and she just can't place where it comes from.

"I just always knew it was what I wanted to do," Kannapell said. "I never even thought twice about it."

Now having been working in special education for more than 20 years, she knows exactly what she loves about it: "I love helping kids who need assistance, different assistance. I want those students to understand that they are smart and they have gifts and they have their own way of thinking and certainly their own way of learning. ... [I] focus on what they can do and kind of act as a champion for them."

After four years as an administrator at W.T. Woodson High School, Kannapell resumes a similar role at Oakton High. As assistant principal at Oakton, she will oversee the special education department, along with the English department and the administrative assistants.

A midwest girl—a native of Naperville, Ill.—Kannapell attended the University of Illinois where she graduated with a degree in biology and special education. She moved to the D.C. area soon after and has spent her career in special education, first as a teacher, and now as an administrator.

Though one of her favorite things about being in education is being in a classroom and working with the students directly, she finds value in working with teachers. Kannapell believes good instruction is one of the keys to a successful teacher. She loves everything about instruction, whether she's doing the instructing or helping a teacher be better at it.

"A good teacher is like magic. And they can create the next Einstein or they can create the next great musician or great writer," she said. "Even more than teaching myself, I love seeing people who have that [talent] and working with them ... because they touch so many kids. It's just fun for me."

Kannapell sees her work at Oakton as a challenge because she came to the school not knowing any of the students or their families. At Woodson, she had become familiar with the families even before working at the school because she previously worked on behalf of the entire Woodson pyramid as a special education administrator. Now, she's starting from scratch, which excites her.

"[Oakton is] a different kind of school," Kannapell said. "I know they compare themselves academically all the time, but I think every school has its own kind of culture. That's fun for me to learn how to work within a different group of people. I'm excited to be here."