Rider and Meyers join District 308’s leadership team
August 15, 2012
On August 13, the District 308 Board of Education filled two assistant principal positions, including one internal promotion. Both Amanda Rider and Ashley Meyers began their administrative positions with the school district on August 14.
“We had many great applicants for the assistant principal positions that were filled on Monday night,” said Executive Director of Administrative Services John Sparlin. “Both Amanda and Ashley possess leadership qualities associated with highly effective people. They both are student centered, knowledgeable and passionate educators who will be effective leaders in District 308.”
Of the 78 applicants for the assistant principal position at Southbury Elementary School, the district found one of its very own best qualified to fill the spot. Amanda Rider, currently a seventh/eighth-grade language arts teacher at Plank Junior High School has been tapped to help lead the Southbury Sharks through another successful year.
Prior to being hired at Plank in 2006, Rider taught one year in the Chicago Public School system.
"I'm excited to transition to the elementary level within District 308,” Rider said. “Southbury is a high-energy school with a great staff and community. I'm looking forward to a great year!"
Rider is currently working on her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction through Aurora University. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Francis University in Joliet, and her bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education from Ohio University.
Rider lives in Plano with her husband Brian, a District 308 physical education teacher at East View Kindergarten Center, and their new son, Finley (7 months).
In addition, the Board approved Ashley Meyers for the assistant principal position at Plank Junior High School. Meyers was one of 105 applicants for the position.
Currently the special education coordinator at Community High School District 94, Meyers came to District 308 with administrative experience as well as a teaching background. Meyers was the vocational/transition facilitator at Batavia High School for a year and also previously served the district as an elementary school LD resource teacher. In addition, she worked at the middle school level as a self-contained/resource teacher at Aux Sable Middle School in Plainfield for four years.
“I am thrilled to be a part of School District 308 and am very excited to start the school year at Plank Junior High,” Meyers said. “Student success is based on strong collaboration between the staff, parents and students and I feel certain that by working together, we will have a very successful school year.”
Meyers holds a master’s degree in educational leadership with a special education director endorsement from the University of St. Francis in Joliet. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Northern Illinois University and her associate’s degree from Waubonsee Community College.
Meyers lives in Yorkville with her husband Troy, and their three children Josh (age 16), Blake (age 12) and Natalie (age 9).
“Once again, from well over 100 applicants interested in serving School District 308, we are so fortunate to have identified and hired two outstanding educators as new assistant principals,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthew Wendt. “Once again, the school district balances the system by hiring one internal and one external candidate. I believe the word is out: School District 308 is a great place, and I am honored to have Amanda and Ashley join our leadership team.”
“We are very excited to have Amanda and Ashley join the district's leadership team as assistant principals,” said Bill Walsh, Board president. “We know they will use their experience and ability to enhance the student education at Southbury and Plank, respectively. The number of internal and external applicants is a wonderful endorsement that identifies our district as an organization where positive contributions are valued and growth opportunities are available.”