Molly Funk 'Excited' for First Day as Doherty Principal

Molly Funk says that as principal of , she doesn’t have “all of the answers.”

Funk, 34, of Canton was to replace Susan Crocker who left in July. She said Monday that as she enters her first year in the West Bloomfield School District, she’s looking forward to the challenges the position brings.

“I think (Crocker and I) bring a lot of similarities but also a lot of unique different things to the table and I’m excited to show parents and students what I have to offer," She said. At the end of the day, if it’s not good for kids, it’s not going to happen on our watch for either one of us. We can never go wrong if the kids are at the forefront of every decision we make.”

Funk comes to West Bloomfield after seven years as principal at three schools in the Wayne-Westland School District. Funk is an Eastern Michigan University doctoral student in the educational leadership program. She is working on the next phases that lead to the writing of her dissertation. Funk said she believes that a principal should be always learning new things.

“I’m very committed to the fact that I am able to provide (students) with the information and resources that are at the cutting edge. In order to do that, I have to have that at my fingertips. To know that’s coming before it comes is really something that is my own personal motivation,” she said.

Funk pointed out Doherty’s history of educational success, including its 2001 Golden Apple Award, as points of excitement as she begins the school year. “I’m excited to be a part of the innovative thinking and high expectations that is like none I’ve ever been a part of before,” she said.

Funk posted a letter to Doherty families Aug. 9 on its website. She said that the community has been “amazingly warm” since she was named principal. “They have surpassed my expectations by far with making me feel welcome, and knowing how much they love has made it that much more emotional,” Funk said.

She said she has been on a "slow pace" leading up to the first day of school Sept. 7, but looks forward to that day. "I'm excited. I have no idea what the first day will look like, but it will be fun," she said.