The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has announced the appointment of five school leaders who will serve students and families in new roles during the 2026–27 school year, bringing a wealth of experience in instruction, student support and school leadership to campuses across the district.
The appointments, which have gone into effect, reflect MMSD's ongoing commitment to developing and recruiting talented educators who are dedicated to creating learning environments where every student can thrive.
- Danny Keegan has been named principal of Schenk Elementary School. He most recently served as assistant principal at Velma Hamilton Middle School, where he helped lead school improvement efforts focused on student achievement, inclusive school culture and family engagement. Before joining MMSD in 2022, Keegan spent nearly a decade teaching English language learners and students receiving special education services in New York City.
- Bobbi Lee Simpson has been named principal of Conrad A. Elvehjem Elementary School. A lifelong Madison resident and MMSD graduate, Simpson brings more than 20 years of experience in education, having served as a paraprofessional, special education teacher and instructional and culture/climate coach. She is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education’s District Leadership Preparation Pipeline (DLPP), a partnership with MMSD that prepares future school leaders.
- Darlinne Kambwa has been named assistant principal at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. An MMSD graduate, Kambwa has served the district as a special education teacher, special education program support teacher and new teacher mentor. She is also a DLPP graduate and recently co-led MMSD's Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools summer program at Lori Mann Carey Elementary School.
- Melissa Winters has been named assistant principal at Robert M. La Follette High School. Winters brings 13 years of experience in education following her service in the United States Army. Most recently, she served as a schoolwide systems coach and dean at Sherman Middle School, where she focused on fostering student belonging and strengthening school culture.
- Rachel Looper has been named assistant principal at Velma B. Hamilton Middle School. During the past nine years, Looper has served as a teacher, family, youth and community engagement coordinator, dean of students and associate principal across the Madison, Verona and Sun Prairie school districts. A Madison East High School and University of Wisconsin–Madison graduate, she is committed to collaborative leadership that advances equity, restorative practices and strong partnerships with students, families and staff.
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"Every school deserves leaders who are deeply committed to students, supportive of educators and focused on building strong relationships with families," said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD assistant superintendent of schools and learning. "These appointments bring together talented educators with diverse experiences, shared values and a clear commitment to creating learning environments where every student can thrive."
Several of the district's newly appointed leaders have deep roots in MMSD, whether as graduates of district schools, longtime educators or alumni of the DLPP program. Others bring valuable leadership experience from outside the district, strengthening MMSD's commitment to cultivating talent from within while welcoming new perspectives that benefit students and school communities.
