New West Aurora High School Principal Approved By D129 Board

AURORA, IL — The West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education approved June 5 a new principal to helm West Aurora High School.

Whitney Martino will start her new role in July, once current Principal Charles Hiscock retires, 32 years after beginning his career in education. Until then, Martino will continue working in her current position as assistant principal of teaching and learning at West Aurora High School, officials said.

"It is such an honor to be selected to greater serve the school and community as the West Aurora High School principal," Martino said in a statement. "This school and community have become home to me and my family and we are excited for the future."

District officials lauded Martino as being instrumental in increasing enrollment in Advanced Placement and dual credit courses while assistant principal of teaching and learning. The classes allow students to earn college credits while still in high school.

Before her current assistant principal role, which she began in 2014, Martino was the assistant principal of activities at West Aurora High for three years. Her responsibilities included overseeing and implementing all of the school's extracurricular programmings.

Martino began her career in education in 2005, working as a social studies teacher and dean of students at West Chicago High School.

The administrator has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Iowa, a master's degree in educational leadership from Aurora University and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy studies.