D-112 Names New Wayne Thomas Principal

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - From North Shore School District 112: Tonight, the North Shore School District 112 (NSSD112) Board of Education approved the hiring of Michael Rodrigo as Wayne Thomas Elementary School Principal effective July 1, 2018. Mr. Rodrigo currently serves as Assistant Principal of Walden Elementary School in the Deerfield Public Schools District 109.

The appointment of Mr. Rodrigo comes after a search process that consisted of a series of interviews with a stakeholder selection committee. The committee included parents, students, staff, and administrators as well as incoming Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Rodrigo lead Wayne Thomas Elementary School,” said Dr. Monica Schroeder NSSD112 Deputy Superintendent. “His energy, charisma, and proven track record of student-focused leadership absolutely shined during the interview process. We want to thank our staff and community who played an active role during this search, and we believe that he will be a visionary leader and a great match for Wayne Thomas.”

Mr. Rodrigo began his career in education with Teach For America in 2010 as a teacher placed at Rowe Elementary School, just one year after the Chicago charter school was founded. At Rowe, Mr. Rodrigo was heavily involved with the design and development of middle school science and social studies curriculum, the implementation of a differentiated instructional model, and provided ongoing professional development to first year teachers. In 2014, Mr. Rodrigo became Rowe Elementary’s Director of Operations. In this role he managed the daily operations of the school while instituting rigorous expectations and a comprehensive school improvement plan with targeted goals and objectives. His many accomplishments as Director include
developing a school wide blended learning model and implementing a highly successful employee onboarding process.

In 2015, he became the founding Dean of Social Emotional Learning and Culture Rowe Middle School Campus Leader. In this position he was tasked with planning, implementing, and evaluating the educational programs designed to promote the highest level of quality teaching, student achievement, and social and emotional growth. Some of his many accomplishments as Dean include founding the behavior management protocol of Rowe Middle School, overseeing the school’s restorative discipline program, and having the school culture recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Excellence.

Since 2017, Mr. Rodrigo has served as Assistant Principal Associate Principal of Walden Elementary School in District 109. As Assistant principal Mr. Rodrigo has provided leadership and direction to the educational development of 450 students and 45 staff members. He was responsible for the efficient, effective management of all aspects of the school’s department of Student Services including the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of services. While serving in this position, Mr. Rodrigo also overhauled the Response to Intervention systems within the school, by collecting and analyzing data from stakeholders and implementing new processes.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be joining the tradition of excellence at Wayne Thomas,” said Mr. Rodrigo. “I’m excited for the opportunity to begin collaborating with the students, staff, and families of the community. There is nothing more important in achieving student success than building relationships with all stakeholders, and I cannot wait to get started. Together, we will inspire, innovate, and engage."

Mr. Rodrigo earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University in 2007, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Dominican University in 2012, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from National Louis University in 2017.

About North Shore School District 112
The mission of North Shore School District 112, a community partnership committed to a world-class education, is to nurture every child to become an inspired learner, a well-rounded individual and contributing member of a global community by striving for excellence within an environment that fosters innovation, respect, engagement and intellectual inquiry.

Photo courtesy of North Shore School District 112