When I walked into Hinckley- Big Rock Elementary School for the first time as the new principal, I had that unique sense that I was at home. There’s a quote about home that says “A house is made of walls and beams, a home is built with love and dreams.” I have been a part of the Hinckley- Big Rock community for just over three months and can definitely speak to the truth of this. Over the summer, we worked on “the house”- the administrative and custodial teams worked side by side to paint, clean and prepare spaces inside the walls of HBRES. When our staff and children filled our halls last month, I felt such a strong sense of home- adults who love their jobs and their students and who support one another continuously- and children who are joyful and excited to be here, ready to build the love of lifelong learning. Hinckley- Big Rock Elementary School may be built with bricks and beams- but it is also a “home” built with love.
It is an honor to serve as the principal of HBRES. This community has truly made me feel at home here. From the staff to the PTO to the children, I have been received with open arms. (I may have bribed the children with popsicles over the summer!) We have hit the ground running at school this year- making learning goals, setting behavioral expectations and establishing our routines. I have had the opportunity to meet each class and read to them, sharing my own love of reading. It has only been a few months since my tenure began at HBRES, but in many ways, it feels like I have been here for years. This school–this community–makes you feel very much at home.
A little about me, and my other home! My husband and I live in Naperville, with our three daughters who are 15. Family has been my primary/ sole focus these past 15 years. Raising triplets is an adventure we absolutely love. Before we welcomed our daughters into the family, I served as a teacher and principal in the West Chicago #33 School District before our girls arrived. I love spending time with my family, taking walks in the woods, playing with our two dogs and relaxing by the fire–whether on the patio or curled up inside. As sophomores in high school, our girls enjoy–and thus so do we–marching band, swim team, water polo and music. Attending their concerts and events is a highlight of being a mom, and keeps us running at what feels like light speed at times. The titles of principal and parent are truly an honor to hold, and I am so grateful for each of them.
As I continue to learn more about this uncommonly amazing community here in HBR, I hope I get to meet each and every one of you. Thank you for your warm welcome! For the hand-picked sweet corn, delicious treats, for the smiles, stories and for the intense interest in making our school the best. I look forward to an incredible year of learning and investing in our children!
