After three decades in education, including 18 years in Cobb Schools, Mike Cappucci is stepping into his newest role as principal of Mableton Elementary School. His journey from school aide to school leader reflects his deep commitment to supporting students at every level and building a school culture rooted in collaboration, growth, and heart.
“Mableton is a school with heart, resilience, and incredible potential,” shared Principal Cappucci. “I am truly honored to join this amazing team. I believe every staff member, parent, and student has a unique role to play in creating a culture of excellence—and I’m excited to partner with the Mableton community.”
With a clear focus on student success, Principal Cappucci is driven by one guiding question in all decisions: “Is this what’s best for kids?” For him, success means more than academic achievement—it’s about developing the whole child and empowering every student to thrive.
In this question-and-answer session, Principal Cappucci shares more about his vision for Mableton, his leadership philosophy, and a few fun facts about life beyond the school day.
Question: What does “student success” mean to you?
Answer: “Student success means developing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. It’s about helping students find their strengths, believe in themselves, and leave our school ready to thrive in life. Every child deserves a champion who will advocate for them, challenge them, and celebrate their progress.”
Question: Under your leadership, how will you build on the school’s successes?
Answer: “I believe in honoring what’s already working while creating space for collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth. As principal, I will empower staff, students, and families to dream big and work together to reach new heights.”
Question: What role do parents and the community play in supporting student success?
Answer: “Parents and the community are vital partners in student success. I believe that everyone—no matter their role—can be a Champion for Kids. Whether it’s through volunteering, mentoring, supporting learning at home, or simply showing up with love and encouragement, the community has the power to help change the life of a child.
Local businesses can be Champions for Kids by partnering with the school in meaningful ways—offering resources, sponsoring events, recognizing student and staff achievements, or providing real-world connections to learning. When families, schools, and businesses come together with a shared commitment to kids, we create a village where every child can thrive.”
Question: What do you like most about being an educator?
Answer: “What I have loved most about being an educator is witnessing the moment a child realizes they can do something they once thought was impossible. Those moments remind me that we are truly in the business of changing lives. Helping students believe in themselves is the heartbeat of why I do this work.”
Outside of school, where might parents and students find you, or what’s an interesting fact about you that the school community might enjoy learning?
Answer: “When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my amazing wife, Michelle, and our son Joey, who’s currently a student at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). In my free time, you might catch me riding my Peloton, cheering on my favorite sports teams, or unwinding with a game or two on my PS5. I also have a growing sneaker collection—emphasis on growing. Michelle says I’ve got enough to open a small shoe store... but there’s always room for just one more pair, right?”
