New Principal at Prairie Point Elementary School

Submitted by Oswego School District 308

OSWEGO, IL — Community Unit School District 308 has hired Dr. Jennifer Groves as the new principal at Prairie Point Elementary School.

At its meeting on Monday, May 9, the Board of Education approved Groves for the principal position at Prairie Point. Groves is replacing outgoing principal Dr. Heidi Podjasek, and she officially takes over as principal at Prairie Point on July 1. Dr. Podjasek was hired as the district’s new Director for Professional Development and Training in March.

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“I couldn’t be happier with the selection of Dr. Groves. She is the right candidate for the job,” Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services for School District 308 Dr. John Sparlin said. “Dr. Groves has already proven herself to be an effective leader and she brings an abundance of talent and administrative experience.”

For the past eight years, Groves has served as the principal of the Cathedral of St. Raymond School, in Joliet, IL, where she led a staff of 50 and oversaw the education of 500 preschool through eighth grade students. During her tenure at St. Raymond, she implemented an all-day early childhood program, which increased enrollment from 20 to 80 students.

“I am thrilled to be serving as the new principal at Prairie Point Elementary School,” Groves said. “Having lived in Oswego for the past 11 years, I am very eager to bring my leadership skills home to my community. I look forward to working with the students, teachers and families of Prairie Point.”

Prior to serving as the principal of St. Raymond School, Groves served as the special education supervisor for Proviso Area for Exceptional Children, in Maywood, Ill., from 2003 to 2008. Prior to that, she was a special education teacher in School District 39, Wilmette, IL, from 2002-2003, the Chicago Public Schools from 2001 to 2002, and Hillside Academy in Hillside, IL, from 1998 to 2001.

Groves received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bradley University, Peoria, IL, and a master's of education in special education from Loyola University in Chicago. She then received her doctor of education degree from Loyola in 2008.

She has served as president of the Joliet Diocesan Principal Association for the past four years. She was a member of the Joliet Diocesan Curriculum Committee and founder of the Cathedral Neighborhood Educational Partnership.