Hinsdale School Gets New Principal

HINSDALE, IL – Oak Elementary School in Hinsdale is getting a new principal.

Effey Nassis, assistant principal at Scott Elementary School in Naperville, is set to take Oak's helm in July. She succeeds Martha Henrikson, who is retiring at the end of the school year, according to a news release.

On Monday, the Hinsdale School District 181 board approved Nassis' appointment.

Before serving as assistant principal in Naperville School District 203, Nassis was an instructional coach, literacy specialist, and English, social studies and reading intervention teacher in Elmhurst School District 205.

She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Elmhurst University and two master’s degrees from Olivet Nazarene University, one in reading education and the other in school improvement leadership.

She has presented at state and national conferences on best practices and was a recipient of a Those Who Excel award from the Illinois State Board of Education for her work.

"I will continuously strive to advocate for the students, staff and community members in order to build upon the tremendous success that has already been achieved at Oak School," Nassis said in the news release.

District 181 said the search involved parents, faculty and administrators. Parents, faculty and staff were surveyed about the qualities they wanted in a new leader, the release said.

A small group of teachers, parents and administrators interviewed the candidates.

“She has a history of fostering a collaborative culture in schools, empowering others and fostering high-quality relationships with students, staff members and parents,” District 181 Superintendent Hector Garcia said in the statement.

Henrikson has been Oak's principal since 2014.