Meet Apollo School's New Principal

, 10100 Dee Road in Des Plaines, will have a new principal next school year. Patch spoke with Amy Prester, currently the principal at Tioga Elementary School in Bensenville, about her background and plans for her new role.

Patch: What is your background in education? What positions have you held, and when?

Prester: I have worked in education for 12 years. I started teaching third and fourth graders in the inner city of Milwaukee then taught 7th and 8th grade math on the south side of Chicago. I then worked for 4 years in the district office for Bensenville District 2 as a curriculum coordinator. For the past 5 years I have worked as Principal of Tioga School in Bensenville.

Patch: Why did you decide to apply for the principal position at Apollo School in Des Plaines, and what have you learned about the district and school during the process?

Prester: Des Plaines is a diverse district. I bring years of experience in many varied setting and look forward to this new opportunity.  In my encounters with District 63 staff during the interview process, it is clear there is a true commitment to teaching, learning and collaboration. These are vital components to a successful school and district. I am eager to become a contributing member to this type of forward thinking.

Earlier:

Patch: What have you learned in your previous role as principal in Bensenville that you plan on applying to your role at Apollo School?

Prester: Over the past 5 years I have worked diligently to gain greater parent involvement in the school. Additonally, I have a passion for learning and truly believe that every child can and will learn and it is our job as educators to figure out how to best support them to make this happen. I have solid practice in doing this through the facilitation of Response to Intervention (RTI) at my current school. I hope to bring the knowledge and experiences I gained from this process to enhance the already strong Apollo School community. 

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