Westbrook School for Young Learners in Mt. Prospect District 57 kicked off the school year with a new principal. Mary Kalogeropoulos came to Westbrook from Hoffman School in Glenview's District 34, where she most recently was a fifth-grade teacher. She says she welcomes the transition to working with the school district's youngest students.

"At this early age, there is such joyful learning and celebration of growth," she says. "I love that this is the foundation of their experience in school and that we have an opportunity to help kids become successful from the start."

"Mary Kalogeropoulos is a phenomenal up-and-coming educational leader who brings insight and innovation to our District, as well as a fresh outlook and approach to leadership," says Dr. Elaine Aumiller, superintendent of schools. "She is collaborative and engages everyone in her thought processes and decision making."

Kalogeropoulos also has served as summer school principal and as a second-grade teacher in District 34. She co-taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade at the University of Illinois Lab School in Champaign. She also has taught multicultural education and reading and writing methods to undergraduate and graduate students at Judson University in Elgin.

Kalogeropoulos is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Illinois. She is nearing the end of her course work and about to begin the dissertation process. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, also from the University of Illinois. She has earned her administrative endorsement (Type 75).

Aumiller says District 57 was fortunate to find Kalogeropoulos and that she has the ability to breathe new life into Westbrook, which serves pre-kindergarten through first-grade students. "I am confident that under her leadership, Westbrook will not be just a building but a thriving school with its own unique identity."

Kalogeropoulos says she is thankful to be surrounded by many talented people and that her primary goal right now is to observe and learn about the good things already happening within Westbrook. "I want to soak up all the knowledge I can. I'm inspired by the staff members at Westbrook and other professionals in the District, as well as the parents," she says. "Westbrook is so child centered and very advanced in the way that it works with kids. Everyone is passionate about making sure that everything they do benefits kids and families."

Kalogeropoulos says her goal for the students of Westbrook is to learn to take risks and follow their passions. "Kids this age have a lot of passion. They want to know all about the world around them."

Since joining Westbrook, Kalogeropoulos says she hasn't had much time to miss having her own classroom. "Now I get to be part of all of these beautiful classrooms. From time to time, I love ducking into different classes and lending a hand on a math lesson or whatever the teacher might need."

In fact, she sees her new role as very similar to the role of a teacher. "This is simply a continuation of what I did as a teacher. I am here to help people maximize their potential, whether that means helping children or supporting the staff."