1st Female Principal Named For Naperville Central High School

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville Central will have its first female principal in history when Assistant Principal Jackie Thornton replaces Principal Bill Wiesbrook, who is set to retire at the end of the 2022-3 school year.

Thornton has served as Naperville Central's assistant principal of curriculum and instruction for 19 years. She began her career worked as a math teacher and a instructional coordinator for mathematics at the high school after earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Benedictine University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from North Central College.

“Throughout the search process, Jackie Thornton distinguished herself as the best candidate to serve as the next leader at Naperville Central High School,” District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said in a news release.

He added, “Jackie has committed her professional career to Naperville 203 and to Naperville Central High School. I am excited for the future at Naperville Central.”

In a statement, Thornton said she feels "so fortunate to have spent [her] entire career at Naperville Central, contributing to, and learning from, a history rich in Redhawk success and pride."

She continued, "I am proud to be a professional educator in an outstanding school district and am honored and humbled to be trusted to serve as principal and lead Naperville Central in its next chapter."

Thornton will start as principal on July 1, 2022. Families will have a chance to get to know her better in February, when District 203 will hold feedback sessions.