Mrs. Melissa Bugaj

My name is Melissa Bugaj and I am thrilled to be your assistant principal at Legacy Elementary. I grew up near Boston, Massachusetts and have lived in or around Loudoun for 23 years. 

I began my career at Hillside Elementary as a general education teacher. I taught 4th and 5th grade there. I then moved to Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland where I taught 2nd, 5th and was the Special Education Chair. I worked on my Masters in Special Education while in Frederick. I returned back to Loudoun County after three years where I worked as a Homebound teacher part-time. I also taught Pre-school and supervised student teachers for Walden University. Once our two children were in school full-time, I became a special education teacher at Loudoun Valley High School. There, I was a co-facilitator for four years in Conceptual Physics, Earth Science, Chemistry, American Sign Language, English 11 and self-contained Reading and Science. I then moved into the Dean of Special Education position at Loudoun Valley and that is where I have been for the past four years. Last summer, I was excited to return to Hillside as the Extended School Year principal. 

My educational background includes a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education from Salem State University, a Masters of Special Education from Hood College and Masters in Education Leadership and Administration from George Mason. I am currently working on my doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University in Educational Leadership.

Legacy is a community working together to achieve academic, social and emotional growth for our students. I look forward to working together to positively and successfully navigate our students' journeys. 

Personally, I am a mom of two tremendous teenagers. My son is a senior in high school and my daughter is a freshman. My husband also works in Loudoun County Public Schools. He is the Assistive Technology Specialist. Together, as a family, we enjoy hiking, cooking, watching movies, playing board games as well as writing and podcasting. 

 Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at mbugaj@lcps.org.