Wednesday, April 9, 2008 6:10 PM CDT
Smith hired as new MMS principal
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — The school board is developing a knack for hiring former 20 Under 40 honorees as principals.
The board on Tuesday tapped current MMS Assistant Principal Jeremie Smith — named one of 20 outstanding local leaders under the age of 40 last year — to replace departing MMS Principal Todd Vilardo, who earned a 20 Under 40 award in 2004 when he was still assistant principal and athletics director at Charleston High School.
“I’m thrilled with the opportunity to serve as the principal of Mattoon Middle School,” Smith said. “I have been lucky to have been able to work with some of the finest teachers around and have been so very fortunate to have such a supportive board and team of administrative colleagues who all strive to make Mattoon schools the best they can.
“I’m so excited to be able to continue those relationships to make Mattoon Middle School an even greater school.”
Vilardo resigned the MMS post last month after accepting a position as assistant superintendent in Charleston. He has been principal at MMS since 2006.
“I’m proud of Mr. Smith,” Vilardo said. “He has already led many important initiatives at Mattoon Middle School, (and) he’s already viewed by our staff and our community as a leader.”
Vilardo spoke highly of his collaboration over the last two years with Smith as well as MMS Assistant Principal Tim Condron, who will become district curriculum director following the retirement of Susan Smith in 2009.
“We’ve accomplished much,” Vilardo said. “I’m confident (Smith and Condron) will continue to do great things” for the school district and the community.
In addition to Smith and Vilardo, Williams Elementary School Principal Kris Maleske received 20 Under 40 recognition in 2004 while still assistant principal at MMS.
Smith, 36, is also the second assistant principal in the school district chosen just this year to succeed an outgoing Mattoon principal. In February, the board decided that Mattoon High School Assistant Principal Michele Sinclair will take over for MHS Principal Ken Reed before the 2009-10 school year.
Smith joined the middle school in 2000 as a language arts and advanced reading teacher after six years at South Central Middle School in Kinmundy.
During his time as a teacher at MMS, he served on several school and district-level committees, including crisis planning and professional development groups. He was also team leader for his eighth-grade team, and he was an assistant football coach at MHS from 2000 to 2003.
Smith graduated in 1993 with a degree in elementary education from Millikin University in Decatur, where he also played football. He completed his master’s degree in education administration at Eastern Illinois University in 2004, and became MMS assistant principal in 2005.
Over the last three years he has served on the IPA Illini Region Board and as an adjunct professor at EIU, where he is currently working toward a special degree in education administration.
Smith led a team that was responsible for the middle school’s recognition last year as a Horizon School — one of the top middle schools in the state and nation.
Superintendent Larry Lilly said Smith’s annual salary as principal will be about $85,000.
In the short-term, Smith said he wants to “evaluate our existing (teaching) practices and work with teachers to improve upon the things that will enhance student growth both academically and behaviorally.”
He also said, however, that “I think it’s important to be able to maintain the successful systems that have already been put in place. I would very much like to build upon existing forms of communication with the entire learning community and make Mattoon Middle School a place where parents feel welcome anytime because they will always be in the know about all of the great things the teachers and kids are doing.”
Smith said he wishes to remain involved in the evolution of the district’s “response to intervention” plan to coach students through difficulties.
He said his long-term goals include continuing “to make the transitions from elementary school to middle school and middle school to high school as seamless and painless (as) possible.
“The key is building on those existing relationships and creating systems that rely on great communication and willingness to do what’s best for kids.”
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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