Michelle Hickinam named Putnam County Principal of the Year, outlines plans as Palatka Primary opens
June 30, 2026 | Putnam, School Districts, Florida
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Michelle Hickinam, principal of James A. Long Elementary School, was named Putnam County Principal of the Year for 2026 and told Putnam County superintendent Rick Cerny on the district podcast that her 26 years in education and focus on collaboration and student voice drove recent improvements at her school.
"Our kids are worth it. Our kids deserve it," Hickinam said, describing efforts to build a "family" culture and to involve teachers and students in setting school direction. She credited long-time educators who influenced her and recounted returning to the elementary level after work at middle and high schools.
The conversation outlined several concrete developments at James A. Long. Cerny noted the school received a B on the state grading system; Hickinam attributed the turnaround to empowering teachers, addressing gaps she observed from her secondary experience and fostering shared ownership of school goals.
Hickinam said she will be the inaugural principal at the new Palatka Primary School being built on the former Kelly Smith Elementary site and described participating in construction and design meetings so the building better serves students and staff. "Allowing a principal to be involved in that aspect is huge," she said, noting that design input helps create more user-friendly learning spaces.
The episode also covered logistics of consolidating feeder schools: students from James A. Long, Mosley and Kelly Smith will be organized into a K 62 Palatka Primary, a Palatka Intermediate and Palatka Junior-Senior High School to create an organized feeder system.
Hickinam said she has submitted a packet for the state Principal of the Year competition and expects finalist announcements; she will travel to Orlando this summer for the related events. Cerny said Hickinam will represent Putnam County along with Belinda Taylor.
The podcast concluded with Cerny thanking listeners and noting future episodes will feature other county educators.
"Our kids are worth it. Our kids deserve it," Hickinam said, describing efforts to build a "family" culture and to involve teachers and students in setting school direction. She credited long-time educators who influenced her and recounted returning to the elementary level after work at middle and high schools.
The conversation outlined several concrete developments at James A. Long. Cerny noted the school received a B on the state grading system; Hickinam attributed the turnaround to empowering teachers, addressing gaps she observed from her secondary experience and fostering shared ownership of school goals.
Hickinam said she will be the inaugural principal at the new Palatka Primary School being built on the former Kelly Smith Elementary site and described participating in construction and design meetings so the building better serves students and staff. "Allowing a principal to be involved in that aspect is huge," she said, noting that design input helps create more user-friendly learning spaces.
The episode also covered logistics of consolidating feeder schools: students from James A. Long, Mosley and Kelly Smith will be organized into a K 62 Palatka Primary, a Palatka Intermediate and Palatka Junior-Senior High School to create an organized feeder system.
Hickinam said she has submitted a packet for the state Principal of the Year competition and expects finalist announcements; she will travel to Orlando this summer for the related events. Cerny said Hickinam will represent Putnam County along with Belinda Taylor.
The podcast concluded with Cerny thanking listeners and noting future episodes will feature other county educators.
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