Paul McKnight named Hansen Elementary Principal

May 26, 2023

Dear Canton Families and Staff,

I am very pleased to announce that Paul McKnight has been selected as the new principal of the Hansen Elementary School. 

McKnight will begin in the position on July 1, 2023.

McKnight was selected following a comprehensive search and interview process that included multiple rounds of engagement with all stakeholders, including Hansen staff, students, families, community members and administrators.

Paul has extensive experience and a strong background in supporting both students and staff members in his previous roles. He has high standards and a true excitement for learning, and he is a skilled collaborator and relationship builder. We are confident in his abilities to lead the Hansen Elementary team, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Canton community.

McKnight comes to Canton from Raynham Middle School, where he has served as assistant principal since 2017. In addition to assisting the principal in the overall administration of the school, he also co-facilitated the school's Child Study Team to design and implement student interventions through tiered systems and interactive support, led professional development, oversaw student accountability, and served on multiple school and district councils and committees.

Prior to that role, he served as assistant principal at the Martin E. Young Elementary School in Randolph. He has also worked with special needs students at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, and served as a special needs teacher at Walpole High School, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Ivy Street School Residential Program in Brookline, and Thurston Middle School in Westwood. 

McKnight holds a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston, a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Administration from American International College.

Prior to his career in education, McKnight was a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1994-2000, and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1997. 

I extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Hansen Principal Interview Committee who dedicated many hours to this process. The diligence and professionalism of the Interview Committee is greatly appreciated. A special thank you to Co-Chair Julie Shore for facilitating the process.

Principal Paul McKnight....Welcome to Canton!

Sincerely,

Derek Folan
Superintendent