Skip To Main Content

Header Holder

District Canvas Container

Close District Canvas

District Navs Tabs - Desktop

District Navs Accordions - Mobile

Canvas Icons Nav

Breadcrumb

Meet the Principal

Principal

CARRIE OTT PHOTO

Carrie Ott

I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to welcome you to the new school year as your Principal. Middle school is a unique, vibrant, and wonderfully chaotic time in a student’s life—a period defined by immense growth, discovery, and transition. Having the opportunity to lead this incredible community is a privilege and great responsibility that I do not take lightly.

My Education Journey: My connection to this community runs deep, and my career has brought me back to where it all began. I started my educational career right here at Mandalay Middle School, where I spent six years learning how to teach, collaborate, and engage in school-family partnerships. I then moved to Standley Lake High School, where I taught math for 18 years and had the privilege of leading students on the field as the Girls’ head softball coach. Driven by a desire to support teachers and impact students on a broader scale, I served as an Instructional Coach for 7 years and the Dean of Students for a year at Standley Lake. I finally got the chance to come back "home" to Mandalay as your Assistant Principal, which has perfectly paved the way for me to now step into the role of Principal.

My Philosophy & Expectations as a Leader: Every decision we make as a school will be viewed through the lens of what is best for our students' academic, social, and emotional development. As your principal, you can expect me to focus heavily on three core pillars:

  • Open and Transparent Communication: A thriving school relies on strong partnerships. I am committed to keeping you informed, listened to, and valued as vital members of our school community.
  • Academic Excellence: Middle schoolers are capable of incredible things. I will ensure our dedicated teaching staff has the resources and support they need to deliver engaging, high-quality instruction.
  • A Culture of Safety and Belonging: I expect Mandalay to be a safe, inclusive space where diversity is celebrated, and every student finds their niche—whether in the classroom, the arts, athletics, or clubs.

Beyond the Classroom: When I am not at school, my time is centered around my family. I have been happily married to my husband for 30 years, and we have two grown boys who are proud alumni of both Mandalay Middle School and Standley Lake High School! When I get a little downtime, you can usually find me out on the golf course, working on a quilting project, reading, or simply enjoying time with my family.

My door is always open. Whether you are a student wanting to share a recent success, a parent with questions, or a staff member with a fresh idea, please feel free to reach out. I am incredibly eager to continue serving as a leader at Mandalay and partnering with you all to make this an unforgettable school year.

Go Wolverines!

Assistant Principal

Eliza Fox Headshot

Eliza Fox

I am incredibly excited and honored to return to the Mandalay Middle School community as your new Assistant Principal. Having previously been part of this school, Mandalay continues to be a special place for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to continue serving such an amazing community.

During my time here, I experienced firsthand the strong relationships, dedication, and care that make Mandalay such a special place for students, staff, and families. I am eager to build on that foundation, continuing to support both academic achievement and social-emotional growth while working alongside all of you.

I look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new members of the community, and partnering together to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and valued. It is truly a privilege to be back at Mandalay.