From left: Colleen Goodrich will join Kilmer Elementary School as its new principal, effective July 1; Lauren Thomas will join Field Elementary School as its new assistant principal; Tracy Heitman will join Longfellow Elementary School as its new assistant principal.
The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on April 18 voted unanimously to appoint a new principal for Kilmer Elementary School, as well as assistant principals for Field and Longfellow Elementary Schools.
Colleen Goodrich will assume the role at Kilmer as of July 1, succeeding Annette McBride, who is stepping down from the post after two years. Goodrich has spent the past four years as an assistant principal in North Shore School District 112, and previously served as an elementary school teacher and coach in Schaumburg School District 54. In 2023, she was named the Illinois Principals Association’s Assistant Principal of the Year, and joined the 2023 class of the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Outstanding Assistant Principals.
In recommending her approval, district administrators said Goodrich distinguished herself as “a reflective, student-centered, caring educator.”
“I am so honored and filled with pride to step into this role,” Goodrich said. “Throughout the interview process, it was very, very clear that the positive, optimistic culture of not only the district, but Kilmer itself, just flowed through everyone and everything I experienced.”
Lauren Thomas is also set to assume the role of assistant principal at Field, effective July 1. She joins the district after serving as an instructional coach and as an elementary school teacher in Champaign Unit 4 School District.
District administrators said Thomas’ emphasis on small wins, having a partnership mindset and her visibility in a school “demonstrates a commitment to being an active and engaged leader.” She also has extensive experience with both literacy and multi-tiered systems of support, which align closely to Field’s improvement goals.
“I’m a passionate educator who is committed to serving all students with equity, excellence and respect,” Thomas said. “I am thrilled to join the Field community and will strive to further the incredible work that is already happening there. Thank you so much for this opportunity!”
Tracy Heitman will join Longfellow as of July 1 as its new assistant principal. She joins the district after serving as a social worker in Woodland School District 50. She has also served as a social worker in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60.
In recommending her approval, district administrators said Heitman’s “emphasis on the needs of all students, dedication to school improvement, and her ability to use technology to support instruction in a school demonstrates a commitment to being an effective and collaborative leader.”
“I’d like to share with the community how excited I am to join District 21,” Heitman said. “I have heard so many great things about the district and community from friends and colleagues who have lived in Wheeling. Each time I had the opportunity to learn more about the district’s mission and vision, and more specifically about Longfellow, I knew it was the place for me. I can’t wait to get to know the students, families, and staff and have the opportunity to make a positive impact. My goal is to ensure that all students show up to school feeling welcome, supported, and capable of success and I can’t wait to get to work!”
CCSD21
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