HPHS Principal Resigns, Takes Job In Libertyville

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — After 22 years at Highland Park High School, Dr. Thomas Koulentes is leaving his position as principal.

Koulentes, whose last day at HPHS is set for July 1, will become the new principal at Libertyville High School, according to the board of Community High School District 128.

During the public comment period of Monday's District 113 Board of Education meeting, members of the public thanked Koulentes and gave him a standing ovation.

“I just want to thank everyone in the community who came out this evening in the kind statement of support,” Koulentes said, according to the Daily North Shore.

"As principal you hope one person is sad when you leave and that one person says thank you, and I just want to assure you all that I’ve been blown away this week by the outpouring of love and support. For me, my cup runneth over and it is truly humbling,” Koulentes said in both English and Spanish, DNS reported.

Koulentes has been principal of Highland Park High School since July 2015. Prior to that, he was the school’s interim principal for the 2014-15 school year and was assistant principal for nine years prior to that. Koulentes began his teaching career at Highland Park as a social studies and English Language Learners (ELL) teacher in 1995, and subsequently served as director of the district’s bilingual program, according to high school officials.

Koulentes received the National Society of Secondary Scholars Distinguished Teaching Award in 2008, and the Microsoft Award for Most Innovative Teaching in the United States in 2007. Additionally, he was a 2005 finalist for the Golden Apple for Teaching Excellence award.

Koulentes holds a Doctorate Degree in Education, Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“We are ecstatic to have Tom join the D128 family as the LHS principal,” said District 128 Superintendent Prentiss Lea. “Tom is regarded as an educator’s educator, best of the best principal, and is universally lauded for his commitment to teacher development, school improvement, and continual student growth and increased student achievement. He will certainly build upon the excellence that Dr. Scott and her team have achieved.”

» Read more via Daily North Shore

Top Photo: Thomas Koulentes (Courtesy of District 128)

Patch Editor Amie Rowland contributed to this report.