D124 Appoints Award-Winning Educator Southeast Principal

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The Evergreen Park School District 124 Board of Education approved the hiring of an award-winning teacher and experienced administrator as the next principal of Southeast Elementary School. Haley Vermeer will officially begin her tenure in Dist. 124 on Aug. 2.

Vermeer, currently an assistant principal at O’Neil Middle School in Downers Grove Grade School Dist. 58. She is a veteran educator and a National Board Certified Teacher with 10 years of teaching experience at Cardenas Elementary in Chicago Public Schools. In 2017, she moved into an administrative role in Dist. 58, where she has focused on school improvement leadership, differentiated professional development, special education, and enhancing relationships with both staff and community members.

“Mrs. Vermeer’s experiences building relationships with the staff, students and family members will take her far in the principal position at Southeast Elementary School,” D124 Superintendent Dr. Jenna Woodland said in a news release. “It is apparent that Haley excels at communication skills and does so in a way that is transparent to all stakeholders. Mrs. Vermeer’s previous experiences, both professionally and personally, will be an asset to the D124 organization.”

Vermeer, who also served as the principal of District 58’s summer school program, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Alma College in Michigan and her master’s degree in administration from Chicago State University.

In 2017, she was selected as the Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She has also been named the Chicago Elementary PE Teacher of the Year and received the CPS Network 7 Network Leadership Award.

“I am incredibly excited and honored to be the next principal at Southeast School,” Vermeer said. “I look forward to working in and with the community to continue the focus on the development of all aspects of the child, inclusion of all stakeholders, and continuous growth in the educational process. In the coming weeks, I look forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families at Southeast.”

Vermeer was hired during the Board of Education’s Wednesday, July 21 meeting.