District 53 names new Brook Forest principal

The Butler Elementary District 53 school board has appointed Chad Prosen as principal of Brook Forest School.

Prosen is regarded as a passionate, collaborative and strong instructional leader. He is a seasoned administrator, having served as principal of Western Avenue School in Flossmoor, and earlier Medinah Intermediate School as well as elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In those roles, he has worked with faculty, staff and community to develop programs that have been recognized for their innovation, effectiveness and excellence.

"Dr. Prosen has provided strong leadership in his roles as principal to ensure every child is successful," Superintendent Heidi Wennstrom said. "He is a caring instructional leader and is a very child-centered administrator.

"At the center of his work are strong relationships with parents, students, staff and faculty as well as a goal toward team building and excellence," she said.

Prosen said he was drawn to District 53 because of its high expectations for learning, the community's support of education and the value that everyone places on excellence.

"I absolutely love being a principal. Every day is a new opportunity to work with children, parents and teachers," he said. "I don't have to go to work every day, I get to go to school."

Prosen and his family live in Oak Forest.

Prosen began his career teaching grades four to eight in Texas, then taught history at Brother Rice High School in Chicago. He completed his bachelor's degree and teacher certificate program at Baylor University in Waco, Texas; a master's in education administration from St. Xavier University; and his PhD. in educational organization and leadership from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Wennstrom said she was pleased with the pool of applicants. The search process involved parents, Brook Forest faculty, administrators, the superintendent, and school board representatives. The selected candidates were interviewed in April. Two highly qualified finalists emerged and Prosen was chosen as the top prospect to recommend to the full school board.