Board appointed new principals to Herrick and Highland, assistant principals/curriculum coordinators to Fairmount and Highland
Downers Grove Grade School District 58 proudly announces that the Board of Education approved on May 13 four administrative appointments, effective July 1, 2019. District 58 warmly welcomes the following newly-appointed administrators:
- Amy Read, Herrick Middle School principal
- Zachary Craft, Highland School principal
- Matthew Jewell, Fairmount School assistant principal/curriculum coordinator
- Christine Priester, Highland School assistant principal/curriculum coordinator
“We are confident that each of these administrators will be a great asset to their schools and to District 58,” said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli. “Each candidate comes to us with strong backgrounds as educators and specialists. They have served with distinction and commendation as members of an administrative team in their respective districts and have built genuine relationships with students, parents and staff. We are thrilled to welcome them to our team and know that they will bring considerable skills and strengths to District 58.”
Amy Read comes to Herrick Middle School with an extensive portfolio of experience as an administrator, instructional leader and classroom teacher. Read currently serves as the principal of Butler Junior High School in Butler District 53 (Oak Brook), a role she has held with distinction since 2014. Previously, she served as principal of Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst Community Unit District 205, principal of Margaret Mead Junior High in Schaumburg District 54 and dean of students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Consolidated High School District 125 in Lincolnshire. She also served as a mathematics teacher for several years in District 125 and Proviso Township High School District 209.
One reference shared that “Ms. Read’s magic is that she creates opportunities so children can learn and thrive in joyful environments. Her shared vision is for a school where everyone collectively and continually grows, learns and excels.”
Read earned a master of arts degree in educational leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, a master of arts degree in teaching from Simmons College and a bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology from Bradley University. Read also was a 2019 finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple – Excellence in Leadership Award.
Zachary Craft will join Highland School as its principal. Interview teams shared that Craft possesses high expectations for student learning, supports the success of teachers, and excels at building collaborative relationships with school communities. He also has a deep understanding of current teaching practices and pedagogy.
Craft currently serves as the assistant principal of Bristol Bay Elementary School in Yorkville Community Unit School District 115. He previously taught fourth grade and served as an interventionist in Batavia Public School District 101. His references said that Craft “employs highly effective communication skills,” “is a visionary,” and “has a strong background and knowledge of educational practices” with the “ability to make difficult and fair decisions.”
Craft earned his master of arts degree in educational leadership from Aurora University and his bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Northern Illinois University.
Matthew Jewell will serve as Fairmount School’s assistant principal and as a District curriculum coordinator. Jewell has worked for Community Unit School District 200 (Wheaton) for nearly 20 years as a curriculum coordinator (his current role), fourth grade teacher, gifted site administrator/instructor, curriculum leader, fifth grade teacher and English learner teacher.
He earned a certificate of advanced study degree in educational leadership and a master of arts in teaching degree from National Louis University. He also earned a master of arts degree in intercultural studies from Wheaton College and a bachelor of arts degree in human relations from Judson University.
Christine Priester will join District 58 as Highland School’s assistant principal and as a District curriculum coordinator. Priester has worked in Indian Springs School District 109 for 10 years. She currently serves District 109 as a learning support services (LSS) coordinator, a role in which she supports curriculum implementation and staff professional development. Her previous roles include summer school assessment coach, kindergarten teacher and sixth grade teacher.
She earned her master’s degree in administration from the University of St. Francis and her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.