McKenzie Powers, arguably one of the greatest all-around female athletes in East Boston history, is the new principal of the Manassah E. Bradley Elementary School.
Powers, 36, who has been a teacher at the school for 13 years and served as the instructional coach for the last two years, officially started in her new position Aug. 10.. She succeeds Claire Carney, who was appointed as the new Boston Region 1 School Superintendent.
In preparation for the 2026-27 academic year that begins next week, Powers attended a new school leaders’ professional development program and the August Leadership Institute which was held for all principals in the Boston school district.
“I’ve been in the school building setting it up and getting everything ready for staff and students,” said Powers. “I’ve held a few ‘Meet the Principal’ events to connect with families. I’m working very closely with our new Region 1 superintendent, Claire Carney, who is our former principal, and she’s been a huge help supporting me in this transition process.”
During their years as professional colleagues at the school, Carney and Powers, working with former Region 1 Supt. Dr. Tommy Welch, helped elevate the Bradley into a national award-winning school, one of the top performing schools in the City of Boston, and a model for urban education.
Carney congratulated Powers on her new position, praising her leadership potential and local roots.
“McKenzie is an incredible school leader and she’s ready to hit the ground running,” said Carney. “She is a lifelong East Boston resident and brings incredible passion to this work. She’s very competitive, so she’s going to make sure that the school stays competitive, does really well, and continues to grow. She has a real passion for special education and supporting all students in thriving and being welcomed into a school community. I can’t wait to see all the great things that she does with the Bradley, both now as her regional school superintendent and also a parent of that community.”
Aimee Galego succeeds Powers as the instructional coach at the Bradley School which has 310 students in grades K-6.
Strong ties to Eastie
McKenzie is the daughter of Patricia Powers and the late Stephen Powers, who passed away in February, 2025.
“They were definitely a big part of me getting into education,” said McKenzie.
Born and raised in East Boston, Powers attended the Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School, the Umana Barnes School, and East Boston High School, graduating in 2008.
She excelled as a youth in ice hockey, Little League baseball and soccer before becoming a standout in the East Boston Girls Softball League led by Robyn and Richard DiMeo. Powers became a three-sport captain and Boston City League All-Star at East Boston High School for the girls’ soccer and softball teams and the boys’ ice hockey team.
Upon her graduation, Powers received the Boston Public High School Scholarship to attend Northeastern University, where she was a four-time All-American in women’s club hockey.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education from Northeastern and her Master’s Degree in Special Education at UMass Boston.
“I did my student teaching at the Bradley, and once I did that, I loved the school so much that I wanted to remain a part of it,” said Powers. “I became a substitute teacher, and I quickly got a job as the technology teacher. Shortly after that, I became a classroom teacher and remained there until now.”
Powers said she is excited to be the leader of the Bradley School.
“I’m extremely excited to be the principal,” said Powers. “I’ve been a part of the Bradley community for 13 years now, and it’s my home. Claire has done an incredible job with our school, and we’re excited to continue with the work she’s done here, just to continue to think through how we can grow and improve and support our families as much as possible. I’m also excited to work with an amazing staff who is very dedicated to its work, extremely supportive, and always focused on doing what’s best for the students in East Boston.”