District 181 Announces New Principal Of Elm School

HINSDALE, IL — The District 181 Board of Education has approved the appointment of Sara Olson as the new principal of Elm School, effective July 1. She will succeed Jeana Considine who is retiring at the end of the 2017-18 school year.

According to the district, Olson is an experienced educational leader, having served as an elementary school principal in North Palos School District 117 for seven years.

“Throughout the search, stakeholders and administrators were impressed by Mrs. Olson’s unwavering commitment to student learning, insight into best practice and proven track record of effectiveness,” Dr. Hector Garcia who was appointed as the new superintendent in District 181 beginning July 1, said in a release. “She has been instrumental in developing a collaborative school culture by fostering powerful relationships with students, staff members and parents."

“I am honored to be the next principal of Elm School,” Olson said in a release. “The community is a close-knit group and I look forward to joining the Elm School family.”

During Olson’s time as a leader in District 117, the junior high was named a National Blue Ribbon Award and the District was awarded the Academic Excellence Award by the State of Illinois. Under her leadership, Sorrick School was twice a recipient of the Illinois ExcelRate Gold Circle of Excellence, the district said.

In District 117, Olson served as principal of Dr. Kenneth Sorrick Elementary School since 2011 and instructional coach at Oak Ridge School from 2008-11. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa and a Masters in Administration and Supervision from St. Xavier University.

“As a former elementary teacher and instructional coach as well as a current principal, Mrs. Olson will undoubtedly be able to successfully transition and contribute to an already outstanding staff at Elm Elementary School,” Garcia said in a release.

Photo provided by District 181.