This fall, Lake Bluff welcomed a new interim principal, Johanna French, to the administrative staff. After former principal Alejandra Ovalle-Krolick resigned in late June, French saw an opportunity to put her leadership skills to good use.
“I’ve always been involved in the leadership team and other communities that have looked at how we can improve things for students on a bigger level, so I went and got my degree in educational leadership, which provides you with a license so that you can be a principal,” French said.
Laurie Burgos, Superintendent of Shorewood, played a key role in the hiring process. She noticed many qualities in French that made her a perfect fit for the job.
“She stood out to me as someone who possesses a lot of natural leadership skills, she’s a very keen systems thinker and is always very solutions oriented,” Burgos said.
She is also well-known to the students and staff. French’s past experience working as a MAC (Multi-Age Classroom) educator makes her a familiar face in the building.
“Her understanding of the district and the school will help families feel very comfortable in working with her…whereas with a new person, it takes a little more time to get to know people,” Burgos said. “I think already having an understanding of relationships and the district will be very helpful and provide some comfort to families and students.”
French continues to use this advantage to broaden her perspective in her new role.
“Whether you’re a teacher or a principal, you’re working for the same goal,” French said. You want to ensure an educational environment where all students can thrive and learn and do their best.”
French’s plans for the upcoming school year include several goals she intends to work toward, particularly regarding the community aspect of Lake Bluff.
“My goal is that the Lake Bluff environment is a place where everyone, both students, teachers, custodians, administrative assistants, [and] anyone who has anything to do with creating our Lake Bluff community, [feels that] it’s a place that they enjoy coming to – where they feel that they’re a part of and where they feel [a sense of] belonging,” French said.
French’s other goals for the upcoming year share themes of positivity, belonging, and growth.
“I also want to foster a positive learning environment for students and teachers,” French said. “I want to help it continue to be a learning community where both students and teachers are continuously learning and growing.”
French is striving towards her goals while getting a head start on her new responsibilities. She has helped establish organization with the building staff, and continues to build connections within the district.
“Some of the first things [French] had to tackle were hiring the new Dean of Students; she also had to hire a teacher to replace her in a one year teaching position, and that hiring practice takes a bit of time,” Burgos said. “She also worked with some of the staff members to finalize the building schedule, [helped] staff who are moving classrooms or taking on new roles, and [got] into all the back to school communications.”
Burgos supports French as she takes on her new role, and she anticipates a bright future for Lake Bluff.
“She’s done an absolutely fantastic job so far, so I’m looking forward to a very successful school year,” Burgos said.