Sharon Witzansky, the assistant principal at Grand View and Pacific Elementary schools, has been named the new principal of Pennekamp Elementary in Manhattan Beach.

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District's school board unanimously approved the selection of Witzansky on Wednesday night. Witzansky will succeed Karina Gerger, who is slated to become the new principal of Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. 

"I feel so honored and lucky and fortunate," Witzansky told the board. She added that she has spent her entire professional life at MBUSD and was grateful for the opportunity to grow and advance within the district. "I’m so eager to immerse myself in the Pennekamp community."

Witzansky, who began at MBUSD in 1999, has been a teacher at various grade levels, an elementary teacher leader at elementary level, and a TOSA (teacher on special assignment) for elemeentary specialized services.

The 500-student Pennekamp Elementary, located in East Manhattan Beach, is one of five elementary schools in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.