New principal at St. Gilbert School in Grayslake
This year brings new leadership to St. Gilbert School in Grayslake as Alison O'Connor begins her first year as its principal.
"I feel really lucky and honored to be able to be a part of this school, and I'm just looking forward to the school year," O'Connor said.
Earning a bachelor's degree from Loyola University of Chicago and master's degree from Dominican University, O'Connor began her career teaching first, third and fifth grade in Texas before moving to Illinois in 2000 to teach first grade at Transfiguration School in Wauconda. Before coming to St. Gilbert, she served four years as assistant principal at St. Hubert in Hoffman Estates.
What she likes about working with children is that no day is the same, O'Connor said. Each day brings different challenges and rewards, she added.
"You can never have a bad day when you're working with kids," she said. "You can have a challenging day, but you can never have a bad day."
O'Connor said she was attracted to St. Gilbert because it is well known in its community for faith-based academics and a vibrant school community.
As principal, O'Connor said, her goal is to provide each student a positive experience spiritually, academically, socially and physically throughout the school year. By working with teachers, parish community and families, they can create a safe, welcoming environment, she said.
"You need to meet that need of safe and have that feeling of welcome before they are willing to take risks that you need to take as a young learner to achieve success," she said.
O'Connor is joined by a new group of students this year as St. Gilbert for the first time offers a preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds that includes half day, full day and after-school options. O'Connor said it is great to extend its faith-based program to young learners.
"Parents see their child going there through eighth grade and it's nice to give them the sense of community right from the start," she said. "Their child's first time in a classroom is within that environment and enables us to build long-lasting relationships with our families."
O'Connor will also watch as her daughter, Sheridan, begin attending classes at St. Gilbert as a kindergartner. Having a child at the school forces her to wear two hats as parent and principal, and will allow her to effectively see the parent community is welcomed, she said.
"It constantly reminds you of the parent experience at your school because you're experiencing it firsthand," O'Connor said. "That enables you to have a special insight into the way your parents are being welcomed and being included."