Elmhurst Principal Named Middle School Principal Of The Year

ELMHURST, IL — Jacquelyn Discipio, principal at Bryan Middle School, has been selected by the Illinois Principals Association DuPage Region as the 2017-2018 Middle School Principal of the Year. The district said the award recognizes middle school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community.

According to the district, criteria for the award includes:

• Demonstrates positive impact on education and advocacy for children
• Ensures the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale
• Demonstrates creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change
• Willing to take risks to improve student learning
• Moves actively to implement the goals and objectives of the school
• Works collaboratively with teachers and other staff to improve educational programs and student achievement
• Anticipates emerging problems and acts effectively to resolve them
• Involves the community in the life of the school and uses community resources for students.

The district said Discipio took over as principal at Bryan Middle School at the start of the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal of Washington Junior High School in Naperville School District 203.

Discipio was nominated by Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer, who stated in his nomination that “Ms. Discipio has been asked to lead monumental and transformative change in a short period of time, examples of which include: a successful one-to-one personalized learning implementation utilizing Chromebooks in year one; implementation of a new English Language Arts curriculum and the addition of instructional coaches in year two; ongoing development of common assessments in all grade levels and content areas; and a major overhaul of the schedule to include dedicated time for interventions and enrichment and increased co-teaching for the 2017-18 school year.”

The district said the Middle School Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of nominees throughout the DuPage Region. Discipio's application will now be forwarded for consideration among the other nominees throughout the other 20 Regions of the Illinois Principals Association. Discipio will also be recognized at the DuPage IPA’s annual Spring Student Recognition Breakfast on April 23.

Photo provided by District 205.