St. Elizabeth Ann Seton welcomes new principal

Molly McManamin began her role as principal of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Anchorage this fall. She brings years of experience, gratitude, and a desire to continue to guide the school toward excellence. 

McManamin is a third-generation Alaskan born in Anchorage. She attended university in Tacoma and returned to begin her career and raise a family. 

“Alaska has always been home, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent my career serving students, families, and educators throughout our state,” McManamin said. 

Her desire to work in education was sowed at a young age. McManamin said, “I often say education picked me. From the time I was about five years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I was fortunate to have wonderful teachers who inspired me, and I think great educators have a special way of inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.” 

Her aunt, Patty McManamin, was a particular inspiration. “I admired her tremendously. Watching the impact she had on students and families helped shape the educator I wanted to become and ultimately led me to dedicate much of my career to special education and educational leadership,” McManamin said. 

McManamin has more than 20 years of experience in education in Alaska, teaching for over 14 years, then moving into administration and consulting. McManamin said she is most proud of the accomplishments of the students, educators, and families she worked with. She said, “There is nothing quite like watching a student finally master something that once felt impossible, seeing an educator discover a new confidence in their abilities, or watching a family realize their child is going to be okay. These moments stay with you. They are what make the long days and difficult seasons of education worthwhile, and they are why I have always loved this work.” 

When she first heard about the principal position at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, she wasn’t actively looking for a new position or planning to return to school leadership. But she kept hearing about it, again and again.

McManamin said, “I like to say that this role found me, I didn’t find it. And I believe God had quite a bit to do with that.” Having stepped away from traditional education for several years, she says the opportunity at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton “continued to come up in conversations and cross my path. Eventually, I had to consider that perhaps I was being called to something I hadn’t planned for myself.” 

New principals take on innumerable responsibilities, including becoming part of the school’s community. McManamin said, “From the beginning, everyone has been incredibly welcoming, patient, and supportive as I learn the traditions, routines, and culture that make St. Elizabeth Ann Seton special.” She said she sees a “genuine love for the school” whenever she talks with staff, families, parish members, and students. “That kind of community isn’t something a principal creates; it is something I feel incredibly fortunate to join, support, and help strengthen.”

McManamin’s hopes for the upcoming school year are to continue building up St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s “strong, faith-filled community grounded in high expectations, academic excellence, kindness, and a genuine sense of belonging.” She believes students thrive when they are held to high academic and behavioral standards in an environment where they feel “deeply known, supported, and loved.” 

McManamin said, “Relationships are at the heart of my leadership philosophy. I lead with integrity, transparency, collaboration, and a people-first approach. I want our faculty and staff to feel supported and empowered in their work, our students to know that we believe in them, and our families to know that they are valued partners in their children’s education.

“I also want every member of our St. Elizabeth Ann Seton community to know that my door is always open. I welcome communication from families whether you have a question or concern, an idea to share, or simply something wonderful about your child that you want to celebrate. Strong schools are built through strong partnerships, and open, respectful communication is an important part of that.” 

Grateful for this opportunity, McManamin said, “St. Elizabeth Ann Seton has such a wonderful reputation in our community, and the opportunity to become part of its history and help carry its mission forward was incredibly meaningful to me. Sometimes God’s plans aren’t exactly the plans we make for ourselves, and I am grateful that I was willing to listen when this opportunity presented itself.”