New Stevenson principal approved

John Carter will take over as principal of Stevenson High School in 2010.

The Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 school board approved the selection of Carter, 43, by unanimous vote Monday night.

He will continue to serve as assistant principal of teaching and learning until current principal Janet Gonzalez steps down in July 2010, he said.

"I'm very excited," Carter said. "Stevenson is a great school and a great community. It's a great place to be."

Carter was originally hired at Stevenson in 1993 as a mathematics teacher, but left following one year to become director of mathematics at West Chicago High School.

He returned to Lincolnshire in 2000 and was promoted to director of mathematics in 2001. He was named assistant principal of teaching and learning in 2006, officials said.

Carter received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics' top honor in 2000.

Carter is also on the board of directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, serving a major role in curriculum and teaching reform efforts over the past decade.

Carter is a co-author of more than 20 mathematics textbooks.

When taking over in about 18 months, he will be Stevenson's 11th principal since it opened in 1965.

"I believe that John Carter has exceptional knowledge, skill and strength of character, and that he will be an invaluable resource to the district in the role of principal," said District 125 Superintendent Eric Twadell.

Gonzalez, 54, became the first female principal at Stevenson when she took over for Douglas Domeracki in 2006. Gonzalez joined Stevenson in 1999 as assistant principal for curriculum and instruction. Domeracki left to become principal of Warren Township High School in 2005.