portrait of principal                                      

Principal's Corner

It is with great excitement and heartfelt gratitude that I get to return to the Wildcat family in this new role.

My journey in education began right here at McKinley, where I proudly served as the music teacher for ten wonderful years. From there, I continued my career within Cañon City Schools, first at Canon City Middle School as the music teacher, and later as the assistant principal and athletic director, as well as coaching at Canon City High School. Each of these roles has deepened my passion for supporting students, collaborating with families, and helping build vibrant school communities.

Returning to McKinley feels like coming home. This school has always held a special place in my heart—not only because of the incredible staff and students but also because of the strong sense of community that defines our school. McKinley serves students from preschool through fifth grade, and together, we will continue to foster a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive.

I am excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new families as we begin this next chapter together. Thank you for welcoming me back—I look forward to working alongside you to support our amazing Wildcats!

Warmly,

Cortney Richardson
Principal
McKinley Elementary School

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