District 113A Board Approves New Oakwood Assistant Principal

LEMONT, IL — At its May 31, the District 113A Board of Education named a new assistant principal for Oakwood School. Kate Kwasny, currently assistant principal of Hermes Elementary School in East Aurora will assume the Oakwood Assistant Principal position on July 1.

The district said Kwasny holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from North Central College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northern Illinois University. She has been an educator for the past eight years both at the middle school and elementary level.

"As the new Assistant Principal at Oakwood Elementary, I am ecstatic to be joining a team of powerful, energetic, and caring educators. As soon as I walked into Oakwood, I knew it was a great new home for me," Kwazny said in a release. "I cannot wait to meet all the students, staff and parents and continue the tradition of excellence for our Bears!"

Kwazy was approved for the position after a rigorous and extensive search process including a candidate pool of over 60 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews with district administrators, Oakwood school staff and parents, the district said.

During the interview process, staff described Kwasny as “team focused,” “collaborative,” and
someone who is “approachable, kind, energetic, and understands the importance of supporting and developing relationships staff, students, and families.” Parents commented that she is “exactly what I would be looking for in an Assistant Principal,” and she is focused on “relationships” which will enhance the culture at Oakwood and that is "what is needed at the primary level.”

"I believe Ms. Kwasny will be an asset in the role of assistant principal at Oakwood School," said
Oakwood Principal Kelly Zimmerman. "She exudes the attributes that we were seeking in an assistant principal. She has enthusiastic energy, nurturing demeanor, sense of humor, and heart for students. She has an in-depth understanding of curriculum and effective instructional practices.”

The district will host a Meet and Greet opportunity for parents and staff to meet Kwasny in August.