Welcome to Central Woodlands 5/6 School! I am Principal Amy Burton-Major, known as “Mrs. Major” to our students. It is a privilege to serve as the instructional leader of this wonderful school community!
My career in public education spans 28 years. Teachers have always been my heroes! I knew from the time I was in elementary school that I would one day be a teacher, though I could not have imagined becoming a school principal back then! During my early career in education, I taught 5th Grade for several years. My love of children’s literature led me next to a role as a School Librarian! In the following years, I taught 7th/8th Grade English Language Arts and Drama. During this time, my interest in school administration began to grow, as I took on a number of teacher-leader opportunities at school and began pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at Grand Valley State University. Roles as an Instructional Coach, School Improvement Administrator, and Assistant Principal followed. My first school principalship was in Whitehall, Michigan at Ealy Elementary (Grades 3-5.) I joined Forest Hills Public Schools as Principal of Orchard View Elementary in 2013. Tremendously excited to return to working with my favorite-age students (10-, 11-, and 12-year olds), I was offered the amazing opportunity to become Central Woodlands’ principal in 2017.
During my years as principal, I have focused on leading with empathy and cultivating vibrant learning environments where every child feels safe, valued, and challenged to achieve their utmost potential. I’ve committed to fostering collaborative staff teams as well as organizing ongoing, high-quality professional learning for our teachers. It is my highest calling to ensure our students have the greatest chance to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
I strongly believe that the foundation we build in these important middle years of elementary school is key to lifelong success. Our dedicated school team at Central Woodlands seeks to foster curiosity and a love for learning, and to ensure growth and success for every student. We strive to live out our District Guiding Principles and to model caring and kindness in all we do as educators. I look forward to another school year of growth and learning together!
