Congratulations to these alumni who are making a positive impact on the leadership and administration of education at all levels!
Josh Barron, Ed.D. Educational Administration, ’12, and Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’06, has been named the next superintendent of Oak Lawn-based Community High School District 218. Currently the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Barron has worked in the district for 13 years, including seven as principal of Shepard High School in Palos Heights. He previously taught and served in administrative roles at Stagg High School and Andrew High School in Consolidated High School District 230.
Maria Burgos, M.S.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, ’05, was named executive director of Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Educational Services for Valley View School District 365U. Burgos previously served as assistant superintendent for Student Services at Cicero School District 99. Her prior roles include the principalship of the McKinley Educational Center and the assistant principalship of Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, both in Cicero.
Garrick Grizaffi, M.S.Ed. School Business Management, ’94, received the Dr. R.E. Everett Distinguished Service Award in November from the Illinois Association of School Business Officials. The award celebrates IASBO members for their dedication and service to the school business profession. Grizaffi has served since 2005 as assistant superintendent of Valley View Community Unit School District 365U, where he oversees the business, operations and finances. He previously worked in Cook County School District 89 and West Chicago School District 94.
Diana Hartmann, Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’08, and M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’04, was named McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools in January. Hartmann previously served as Student Services Administrator in Elgin School District U-46. She also taught and worked in administrative positions for Crystal Lake District 47, Harlem District 122, Harvard District 50, Waukegan District 60, Mendota High School and the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism.
Antonette Minniti, M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’08, will begin a 10-month assistant principal role Aug. 1 at Palatine High School in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211. Minniti has chaired the Student Services Department since 2019 at Fremd High School, where she began her career as an English teacher in 2001. She also has chaired Fremd’s English Department and has served as a counselor.
John Reiniche, M.S.Ed. School Business Management, ’01, was named assistant superintendent for Administrative Services in Valley View Community Unit School District 365U. He starts July 1. Reiniche currently is the finance director for Bloomingdale School District 13, where he has served since July 2016. He previously worked as district accountant in Hinsdale Township High School District 86.
Kari Schimmel, Ed.D. Community College Leadership, ’21, was named associate vice president of Institutional Effectiveness and Innovation at Illinois Central College. Schimmel will oversee the implementation of the college’s strategic plan, serve as a chief strategy advisor to ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey and guide the college’s efforts in research, grants, change and project management. She most recently served as dean of Arts and Behavioral Sciences at ICC and was a full-time member of the faculty there for 12 years. Her teaching career began at Kishwaukee College.
Daniel “Danny” Woestman, Ed.D. Educational Administration, ’14, and Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’11, will begin July 1 as superintendent of Warren Township High School District 121. Woestman is currently superintendent of Belvidere School District 100, where he began in 2016 and where he received the Illinois Principal Association Kishwaukee Region’s Superintendent of the Year award in 2020-21. He previously served as assistant superintendent and director of Accountability for Rockford Public Schools 205 and as assistant principal and English teacher at Honenegah Community High School.
If you’re a College of Education grad with news to share, please let us know – and send a photo! Our email address is ceduEdNews@niu.edu.
