After serving in interim roles this school year, three educators have been appointed principals in Ann Arbor Public Schools.
AAPS Superintendent Jazz Park extends a special thank you to the teachers, staff, parents, and community members who served on the interview team during the interview selection process.
Stephan Hogan has been appointed Principal of Abbot Elementary School.
Hogan joined the district in 2016 as a mathematics teacher at Tappan Middle School, where he also led the department teaching and learning network and served as a grade-level team leader. He became Assistant Principal at Tappan Middle School in 2021 and has served as the Middle School Summer Challenge principal for several years. Hogan earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to continue serving the Abbot community as the permanent principal!” Hogan stated. “Abbot is an incredible community filled with amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families—and I’m proud to be part of it. I look forward to building on the great work we’ve started together and continuing to make Abbot a place where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow!”
Samantha Cucu has been named Principal of Mitchell Elementary School.
Cucu, a current Mitchell parent, has worked in Ann Arbor Public Schools since 2011. Her previous roles include special education paraprofessional, middle school teacher, elementary school Intervention Specialist, and Assistant Principal at King Elementary. She served as Interim Principal at Thurston Elementary last school year before moving to Mitchell. With 20 years in public education, Cucu has served on the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports Committee and Social-Emotional and Wellness Team.
“I’m truly excited to continue serving and growing with the incredible Mitchell Community!” Cucu said. “As we step into this next chapter together, I remain deeply committed to nurturing a welcoming environment filled with care, respect, and a strong sense of belonging for every child. I look forward to continued meaningful connections, joyful learning, and shared success.”
Valeska Bass has been named Principal of Pattengill Elementary School.
Bass has worked with AAPS since 2012, beginning as a first-grade teacher at Bryant Elementary. She later became a Lead Teacher at Bryant in 2016 and served as Summer Learning Institute Lead Principal in 2021 and 2022. Prior to her interim role, she worked as the International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Bryant.
Bass holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
“I am genuinely excited to work together to continue building on the prior successes of the students and look forward to continuing the work of building character and social-emotional skills,” said Bass. “Your students are our future, and my goal is to support the Pattengill community academically and emotionally. Your dedication and enthusiasm inspire me, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!”
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