Meet Macatawa Bay High School’s New Principal

HOLLAND TWP. — A longtime assistant principal at West Ottawa High School is moving to Macatawa Bay Middle School to take on the building’s principal role.

Jake Manning was announced Thursday, June 27 as the new principal at Macatawa Bay. He has been an assistant principal at WOHS since 2018 and briefly served as interim principal from January to May 2022.

“Jake Manning has been a phenomenal asset to Ottawa West and has had a positive impact on our students no matter (what he has been tasked with),” Superintendent Tim Bearden wrote in a statement. “Jake is positive, energetic and a leader who will do great things for the students and staff at Mac Bay.”

Manning was appointed following an interview process that included Macatawa Bay teachers and staff, principals and district administrators. He was the subject of an “extremely difficult choice between exceptional internal candidates”.

This appointment takes effect immediately. Manning succeeds Kristin Graham, principal since 2018, who now holds a position on the district’s central administration team.

“Since I began teaching in 2009, my mission has been simple: I want to make an impact on the lives of young people,” Manning wrote in a statement. “Throughout my journey, I have been encouraged and grown by extraordinary teammates and fellow educators.

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“I have truly loved spending the last six years serving our students and staff at West Ottawa High School. My role has changed, but my goal remains the same. »

Manning holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and psychology from Hope College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Michigan State University. He also played football at Hope and was at one time an assistant coach for the team.

Manning and his wife Bryanna have five children, all students at Lakewood Elementary School in WO.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at [email protected].

This article was originally published on The Holland Sentinel: Jake Manning named new manager of Macatawa Bay west of Ottawa