Pre-Primary Center’s Melissa Ahearn Hired as New Principal at Chestnut Hill Elementary

May 22, 2026 - Midland Public Schools (MPS) is pleased to announce that Carpenter Pre-Primary Center Director Melissa Ahearn has been selected as the next principal of Chestnut Hill Elementary, effective July 1, 2026. 

Ahearn joined MPS in 2013. During her tenure, she has served as a fifth-grade teacher at Plymouth Elementary and Central Park Elementary, an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) coordinator at Adams Elementary and Siebert Elementary, and was promoted to director of the Carpenter Pre-Primary Center in 2023.

Ahearn holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University and a Master of Education from Oakland University. She also holds a PK-12 Administrator Certification from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).

“Melissa is a kind, compassionate educator who truly understands the importance of supporting the whole child,” said Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson. “She builds strong relationships with students, staff, and families and creates environments where children feel seen, valued, and encouraged to grow and achieve. We look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make within our school community in her new role at Chestnut Hill.”

“The Pre-Primary Center at Carpenter Street School will always hold a special place in my heart, and it has been an honor serving this community as director,” Ahearn shared. “I am incredibly grateful for the relationships, experiences, and growth that have come from my time here. As I begin this next chapter at Chestnut Hill Elementary, I am excited to work closely with students, staff, and families to continue building a positive, collaborative, and inclusive school community. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and excited for what’s ahead.”