Board approves three new administrators
June 12, 2012
Shannon Lueders, Thompson Junior High School Principal
Since 2007 Shannon Lueders has been working at District 308’s Thompson Junior High School as an assistant principal. On July 1, she will move her belongings across the main office and into the principal’s office as she assumes the top position at the school. Lueders was approved as the new Thompson Junior High School principal by the District 308 Board of Education Monday night. Lueders will replace outgoing Principal Tracy Murphy who is leaving the district on June 30 to assume the principal position at Gower Middle School in Burr Ridge.
“I am very excited to take over the principalship at Thompson,” Lueders said. “We have amazing students, a wonderful staff, and very supportive parents. I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition of academic excellence at Thompson. Tracy Murphy has been a great mentor for me during the last five years and I have learned a great deal from her.”
Prior to serving Thompson Junior High School’s 900-student community, Lueders was employed at Jefferson Middle School in Aurora. Lueders worked at Jefferson from 1998 until 2007 and served the school as a career education teacher, technology teacher and dean/counselor.
Lueders has a bachelor's degree in history from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University.
"We are pleased to be able to have Shannon take the next step in her administrative career without leaving her current building,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan O’Donnell. “Shannon is an outstanding young administrator who will be a perfect fit for Thompson Junior High. Her experience as an assistant principal at the school has well prepared her to take on the building leadership role as principal."
Lueders, originally from Montrose, Iowa, lives in Aurora with her family including three children—Jake (22), Abby (17) and Erin (10)—and her husband Steve, a police officer for the city of Aurora.
Christine Smith, Long Beach Elementary School Principal
On July 1, Christine Smith will join the District 308 administration team as its newest principal. Smith was approved by the District 308 Board of Education Monday night as the principal of Long Beach Elementary School. Smith will replace current principal Kevin Lipke who has accepted the superintendent position for Pontiac School District 429.
"I am honored and very excited about taking on the role of principal at Long Beach Elementary School,” Smith said. “I hope to bring enthusiasm to the school through my experience, my sense of humor and collaboration with the students, staff and families."
Smith has been in the education field since 1989. After six years as a first-grade classroom teacher in Minooka District 201 followed by six years at the second grade level in Seneca District 170, Smith took a position in administration. From 2001 through 2006 Smith served as an elementary school principal at Coal City Elementary School. She then served as principal of Holmes Elementary School in Maercker School District 60 in Clarendon Hills for two years, followed by four years as Riverside Central Elementary School principal in Rochester Minnesota.
Smith received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, as well as her Type 75 Administrative Certification from Illinois State University.
“Christine is a very strong, experienced building principal who comes to Long Beach from a highly-successful tenure as an elementary principal,” said Superintendent Dr. Dan O’Donnell. “Her expertise in improving student achievement for a diverse community of students and families will build nicely on the great foundation built by our Long Beach staff and exiting principal Kevin Lipke."
Smith resides in Morris with her two-year old daughter Alaina and her three dogs.
Darren Howard, Oswego High School Athletic Director
Monday night, the District 308 Board of Education approved Darren Howard as the new Oswego High School Athletic Director. Howard was recommended by a 12-member interview committee consisting of parents, coaches and district support staff and administrators.
“I am honored and humbled to have the privilege of being the next athletic director at Oswego High School,” Howard said. “I look forward to working with the students and staff at OHS to add to the tremendous tradition of this excellent high school.“
Howard, a certified athletic administrator, has served as the athletic director at Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst since June of 2003. In addition, he has been the head boys varsity basketball coach since 2000, leading his team to five consecutive regional title games including two regional championships. For his efforts, Howard was named the Division 3 Athletic Director of the Year for 1A/2A schools in 2010 and was inducted into the Immaculate Conception Athletic Hall of Fame the same year. Howard began his high school coaching career as an assistant basketball coach at Fenton High School in Bensenville.
"We are very pleased to welcome Darren Howard as Oswego High School's next athletic director,” said Oswego High School Principal Mike Wayne. “Darren's extensive experience as an AD and his successful career as a head coach will most certainly help him in moving Oswego High School's athletic programs forward. His focus on expanding opportunities for student athletes and mentoring young coaches will be much needed as OHS grows to over 3,000 students in the near future."
Howard earned his bachelor’s degree in business education at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights and his master’s in education from National Louis University in Lisle. Howard and Joan, his wife of 26 years, live in Bloomingdale and have five children: Chris (24), Kim (23), Pat (21), Taylor (14) and Jacob (12).
On July 1 Howard will take over for Steve McInerney who accepted a position at Carl Sandburg High School in District 230 as the division chairperson for physical education, health and drivers education.