Greetings,

It brings me complete joy and honor to serve the community of Overland Trail Elementary (OTE). I come to you with twelve years of experience in education, all of which have been filled in the Blue Valley School District as an elementary educator, assistant principal, and principal. I earned my Bachelor of Education at Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!). I received my Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and Master of Science in School Leadership at Baker University (Again, Go Wildcats!). As you can see, my educational heart values being a part of the 'paw' family, so it feels right to be a part of the OTE Cougar family.

I live in Lenexa with my husband, Christian, and my daughters, Blaise and Steele. Outside of OTE, you will find my family spending quality time together through various activities, including traveling. Tying my heart around my home and the Blue Valley community has been an extraordinary experience. With Blue Valley's commitment to reimagining and changing the world, I am devoted to maximizing myself to serve staff and students best. As our community strives to align our collaborative efforts, we can promote and nurture an inclusive environment to ensure life readiness and personal excellence for all students at OTE. I remain optimistic and encouraged that OTE will continue flourishing, and together, we will support our students as we continue to provide rich, relevant, and meaningful learning experiences.

I am honored to come back to be a part of the OTE learning home. I look forward to a great 2023-2024 school year, families.

Yours truly,

Erica McDonald

Overland Trail Elementary

Principal