New Administrators Bring Wealth of Experience to District 146

With the 2017-2018 school year ending earlier in the day, the District 146 Board of Education looked to the new school year by approving the employment of two new administrators at its June 4 meeting.

Beginning on July 1, Damien Aherne will join the District as the new principal of Fierke Education Center and Sara Schnoor will be joining the Central Middle School team as the new Assistant Principal.

Aherne, currently the principal of a Merrionette Park intermediate school, holds degrees in fine arts, music, and school administration. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, studying school leadership and administration.

"I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to join the team at District 146,” said Aherne. “I look forward to serving our families, students, and staff at Fierke Education Center and anticipate a great year ahead."

Aherne was on hand with his family, wife Marisa, daughters Niamh and Gracelyn, and son Evan, to sign his contract at Monday night's meeting.

Schnoor has a bachelor’s degree in cello performance and music education, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at New Mexico State University focusing on educational leadership with an emphasis on social justice. She is currently the principal of a kindergarten through sixth grade school in Arizona.

“I am excited to be a part of such an incredible group of people deeply committed to students and continuous improvement,” said Schnoor. “I am looking forward to inspiring a connected and positive learning community within and beyond the walls of Central as I get to know students, families, staff, and community partners.”

Schnoor, who is relocating to the area with her family, will sign her contract later in June.

Aherne and Schnoor both bring diverse experience to District 146. Aherne has led teams in school safety, staff development, and response to intervention (RTI) implementation. He has also been an adjunct professor at Moraine Valley Community College since 2005. He is the current director for the South Cook Region of the Illinois Principals Association.

Schnoor has led school wide implementations of inclusive practices, balanced literacy and 1:1 technology. She is a current member of the National Association of School Principals, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the University Council of Educational Administrators.

“We are very excited to welcome Damien and Sara to the District 146 family,” said Dr. Stawick, Superintendent. “The impressive amount of experience and knowledge they will bring to our team will be invaluable as we continue to offer the best education to all District 146 students.”

Community Consolidated School District 146 is comprised of Central Middle School, Fierke Education Center, Fulton School, Kruse Education Center, and Memorial School. Students from Tinley Park, Orland Park, and Oak Forest attend District 146 schools.