McHenry Times

The District 300 Board of Education recognized district staff for efforts in continuing the education and opportunities for students in the district, which includes the assistant and associate principals.

“Our assistant and associate principals are vital to District 300 as a help to support the development and administration of school programs that are consistent with our goals and objectives,” said Superintendent Susan Harkin. “They provide leadership and direction to staff, assist in ensuring our board policies and procedures are followed at our schools and help to promote educational environments that are conduct conducive to student learning. I like to share my appreciation for our assistant and associate principals on behalf of District 300. We thank them and you immensely for supporting our schools, our principals and our students.”

The appreciation day for assistant and associate principals was on April 4, which was also the same day as Librarian Day. Paraprofessional Appreciation Day was on April 5. The staff members all received special recognition and gifts on those days, as Harkin called them important members of the community.

Harkin also recognized three new administrators in the district. Angela Hammond is the new principal of Lake in the Hills Elementary School. She will take the place of Robert Chleboun when he retires at the end of the school year after 30 years of working in the field of education. She said that Chleboun will be missed, but the district is confident that Hammond will be an excellent leader. Hammond has been the assistant principal working under Hammond and has been learning the ropes of taking the next step to assume the role in July.

“I am very confident that Angela will do an outstanding job,” said Harkin 

The new director of early childhood and elementary literacy is Dr. Melanie Gravel. Harkin said the district is excited to see her impact on the younger students. Gravel has worked as a principal for the past eight years, but has been in all aspects of education including an assistant principal. Harkin said in these roles she emphasized instructional leadership, staff development and fostering safe and effective learning environments. Harkin said she was impressed with the efforts she has already taken to work within the strategic plan and goals of the district. 

“We are confident, she’s already showing us how we can be so confident in her, that she will make a significant impact on successful academic outcomes for our students,” said Harkin.

Beth Goudy was introduced as the new director of secondary literacy. She has experience as a teacher and an assistant principal. Goudy has been working in the district as the coordinator and will move into the new position. She will oversee sixth through 12th-grade literacy.

“Beth began her career in 2012 as a classroom teacher,” Harkin said. “Over the course of her eight-year tenure as a teacher, she developed a deep passion for helping students develop strong literacy skills and a love of reading.”