MUSD Administrator of the Year: Mrs. Caitlyn Kauffman

Mrs. Caitlyn Kauffman’s exceptional leadership at Marana High School (MHS) has earned her the recognition of Marana Unified School District’s 2024 Administrator of the Year.

In the bustling environment of MHS, with over 2,400 students and nearly 200 faculty and staff, Mrs. Kauffman faces the unique challenge of overseeing what can be likened to a small city. Despite this, she approaches her role with unwavering positivity and dedication to supporting every student and staff member on campus.

Mrs. Kauffman is able to create meaningful staff and committee meetings that have helped to rebuild the sense of community at MHS by celebrating staff achievements, sharing instructional strategies, and fostering personal connections. She goes beyond the administrative tasks and reaches out to staff members facing challenges, demonstrating a genuine concern for their well-being.

Mrs. Kauffman’s leadership style is characterized by open communication and a willingness to listen. Her office door is almost always open, inviting impromptu conversations and honest feedback. She not only values the input of others but actively uses the feedback to enhance the learning environment and ensure campus safety. Even in situations where an immediate solution may not be possible, Mrs. Kauffman works to remedy the situation until a longer-term solution is found, making sure everyone feels heard in the process.

As a leader, she sets high expectations for herself, staff, and students. She consistently models best practices, showcasing a deep understanding of the instructional model and evaluation process. When providing feedback to those she evaluates, Mrs. Kauffman offers actionable insights aligned with the instructional model and Danielson rubric.

In times of personal hardships and challenges faced by the campus, Mrs. Kauffman's empathy, compassion, and proactive approach shine through. She strives to create an environment where everyone feels safe, emphasizing the importance of well-being for both students and staff. Her colleagues admire her commitment to making each person feel valued and integral to the school community.

Mrs. Kauffman’s contributions have helped to shape the Marana High School community and we are so lucky to have her as a leader!

About Employee of the Year Awards

The Marana Unified School District annually recognizes dedicated employees, a teacher, administrator and support staff member who possess outstanding work abilities, motivate and inspire students and colleagues, possess leadership qualities, and contribute to colleagues and students in ways that go beyond the usual expectations of their job.

In addition to being recognized at their work site, Employees of the Year will be recognized by the Marana School’s 2340 Foundation during the Marana Schools’ 2340 Foundation Celebration of Excellence luncheon on Friday, March 29, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.