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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Jasculca

May 27, 2014 Director of Policy, Planning and Communication
(708) 524-3006 (office)
cjasculca@op97.org


DISTRICT 97 APPOINTS NEW PRINCIPALS FOR MANN AND WHITTIER

OAK PARK, IL During its meeting this evening, the District 97 Board of Education unanimously approved
the appointments of Faith Cole as the principal of Horace Mann Elementary School and Keshia Warner as the
principal of John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School. Cole will be replacing Sam LeDeaux, who announced
his resignation in March, while Warner will be replacing Carol Young, who is retiring at the end of the school
year. Both of them will begin in their new positions with the district on July 1, 2014.

I want to thank Carol Young and Sam LeDeaux for their service on behalf of our district, said Superintendent
Al Roberts I also want to congratulate Faith and Keshia on their appointments. Their strong academic
backgrounds, wealth of experience and tireless commitment to education will contribute to the success of our
schools, our community and, most importantly, our students.

Prior to joining Mann, Cole served as an assistant principal at Percy Julian Middle School for two years. She
was also one of the districts teacher leaders for mentoring and instruction for two years, and a kindergarten
teacher and Title I Reading teacher in the district for six years.
Cole has a bachelors degree in Elementary and Special Education from Lewis University, a masters degree in
Leadership from Northeastern University and is currently working on her doctorate in Teacher Leadership at
Walden University.
Cole, who currently resides in Oak Park with her husband Travis and son Travis, Jr., said she is excited to
continue her career in the place where she was born and raised.

I am honored to be the next principal for Mann Elementary School, said Cole. Thanks to this appointment, I
will be able to continue giving back to a community and district that have played an integral role in shaping me
both personally and professionally. I will also have the privilege of working alongside staff members and
parents/guardians who share my passion for education and commitment to helping students learn, grow and
achieve. I look forward to starting this new chapter in my life, and am excited about the opportunities that lie
ahead for Mann and the families we serve.
Prior to joining Whittier, Warner was the principal at John B. Drake Elementary School in Chicago for three
years. She was also the assistant principal at Drake for three years, and a National Board Certified third grade
teacher in Chicago Public Schools for seven years.

Warner earned her bachelors degree in English Arts from Hampton University in Virginia, her masters degree
in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a masters degree in
Administration and Supervision from National Louis University in Chicago.

970 Madison ! Oak Park ! Illinois ! 60302 ! ph: 708.524.3000 ! fax: 708.524.3019 ! www.op97.org




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Warner, who currently resides in Chicago with her husband Quann and dog Koko, is eager to begin working
with the Whittier community to help the school reach new heights.

Whittier is an exemplary school with a long-standing tradition of excellence, said Warner. The staff
members and parents/guardians understand the importance of education, and are committed to nurturing every
childs love of learning. I am excited to join this exceptional team of dedicated individuals, and look forward to
working closely and collaboratively with them to help our students reach their full potential and exceed all
expectations.

Parents/guardians and staff members were heavily involved in the efforts to find the new principals for Mann
and Whittier. Both groups provided the superintendent with feedback about the qualities and characteristics they
felt applicants for the positions should possess. They also selected the individuals (parents/guardians and staff
members) who served on the site team for each school. These teams interviewed a pool of six candidates and
identified the top three for the two positions. The superintendent, district administrators and representatives
from the teams then conducted a final round of interviews and performed the necessary background checks and
site visits prior to selecting the top two candidates to present to the board.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the parents/guardians and staff members from Mann and Whittier
who participated in the search process, said Roberts. The time, effort and energy they dedicated to completing
this critical task were instrumental in filling these vital leadership positions.

Cole and Warner were both given one-year contracts. Cole will receive a base salary of $108,000 for the 2014-
2015 school year, while Warners base salary will be $120,000.