Founding Principal Selected For Elgin Charter School

ELGIN, IL - From Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School: Elgin Math & Science Academy Charter School (EMSA) today announced the appointment of Lezlie Fuhr as its founding principal. Ms Fuhr, a 22-year veteran of educational administration and teaching, comes to EMSA from Jacksonville School District 117, where she has served as Principal of North Jacksonville Elementary School since 2006.

“We are pleased to welcome Lezlie to the EMSA team,” said Dennis Verges, EMSA Board Vice Chair. “Ms. Fuhr is a dedicated and compassionate leader who is committed to meeting the educational needs of all children. Ms. Fuhr believes in the transformative power of hands-on, active and meaningful learning.”

Known for her successes at North Elementary School, Ms. Fuhr has served a diverse population of learners, the majority from low-income backgrounds. Ms. Fuhr’s understanding of EMSA’s mission and the Expeditionary Learning (EL Education) model were deciding factors in her appointment.

“After reading the EMSA charter proposal, I was inspired to put what I have learned into practice, and bring EL Education to the local community,” said Ms. Fuhr. “This is an exciting endeavor, and I cannot wait to bring the Wow & Wonder of an engaging curriculum to our student body.”

In one of her first actions as principal of EMSA, Ms. Fuhr today introduced Patricia Williams as the school’s Outreach Coordinator. Ms. Williams comes to EMSA from Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago and has extensive nonprofit experience in northern Illinois, as well as strong ties to the Elgin Hispanic community.

Ms. Fuhr is a member of Illinois Principals Association and was voted Principal of the Year by the Two Rivers IPA Region in 2015, and was a 2014 recipient of the Horace Mann Reaching Out and Building Bridges Award. She was selected as Who’s Who Among Educational Leaders in 2008, Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 2006 and NIE Teacher of the Year in 1999.

Ms. Fuhr earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University.

Photo Credit: Leslie Fuhr, Founding Principal (January 2018); Elgin Math & Science Academy Public Charter School