New Principal Appointed At Hoover-Wood Elementary School

BATAVIA, IL — A new principal has been appointed at Hoover-Wood Elementary School to succeed retiring Principal Gina Greenwald.

The Batavia Public School District 101 Board of Education announced Sean Degman's appointment on Thursday. Greenwald will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year after 11 years at the elementary school's helm.

Degman comes to Batavia after serving as assistant principal at Carpenter Elementary School for four years. His education journey has been shaped by a love for learning, coaching and building strong school communities, according to news release from District 101.

"My passion has remained the same: helping teachers and students grow," Degman said in a statement. "I believe in the power of collaboration, the importance of relationships, and the impact of a school culture that lifts everyone up."

The educator started his career as a first-grade teacher before moving into instructional coaching and later becoming an assistant principal who focused on shaping school culture and supporting teachers, District 101 officials said.

He currently lives in Downers Grove with his wife, Kiera, and two children, 8-year-old Parker and 5-year-old Ainsley.

"I feel incredibly grateful to be joining the HWS family and can't wait to get to know each of you," Degman said. "Our work is meaningful, challenging, and rewarding, and I'm honored to take this journey with you. My door is always open, and I look forward to learning, growing, and celebrating successes together. Let’s make Hoover-Wood the best place it can be for our students, our staff, and our community. To our HWS students, I can't wait to meet you all and learn more about each of you. We'll have a fun year and certainly enjoy the journey together."