Macy Gelnar Brings Passion and Planning to Westside as Assistant Principal
Claremore, OK — Claremore Public Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Macy Gelnar as the new Assistant Principal at Westside Elementary. With a career that spans early childhood to high school education, Gelnar brings a unique combination of instructional experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to student and staff success.
Gelnar’s professional journey has come full circle, returning to her roots in elementary education. After spending the past year serving Claremore High School and previously working in classrooms from Pre-K through 12th grade, she is excited to rejoin the elementary setting. “I spent 10 years teaching in elementary schools, and I’m thrilled to be back,” Gelnar shared. “I’m most excited to build relationships and get to know the amazing staff, teachers, families, and students at Westside.”
Her leadership style is rooted in service and relationships. As a former instructional coach, reading specialist, and classroom teacher, Gelnar is known for being both highly collaborative and deeply organized. “I’m a planner at heart,” she said. “I enjoy doing the hard work and supporting teams with structure, data, and clear goals that help everyone thrive.” Her ability to align strategic planning with day-to-day instructional support has been key to her success in leading professional learning and helping teams reach targeted outcomes.
Macy’s values are closely aligned with the Claremore core values of Grit, Community, Innovation, Excellence, and Purpose. She is a servant leader who values communication and visibility. “Getting to know students by name and being a positive presence throughout the building is a priority for me. I want every child to know they’re seen and supported, in and out of the classroom.”
Her journey to Claremore began when her husband, Jonathan, joined the CPS family as the head baseball coach and teacher at Claremore High School. She will bring their school-age son with her to Westside, and their three-year-old will not be far behind. Macy is excited to be professionally and personally rooted in the Claremore community. “We are fully committed to being Zebras,” she said, smiling.
Outside of school, Macy enjoys spending time with her family. She loves good coffee, traveling, and exploring new places with her boys. Her faith plays an important role in her life, and she brings that same sense of purpose and joy to her work in education.
Please join us in welcoming Macy Gelnar to Westside Elementary. Her passion, experience, and heart for students will be a powerful addition to our team.
It’s a Great Day to Be a Zebra.