District 62 appoints two elementary principals

The Des Plaines Elementary District 62 school board this week appointed two new principals for South and North elementary schools.

Michelle Flores was named principal at South, and Howard Coleman was named North’s principal. Their first day is July 1.

Flores replaces Lori Poelking, who is leaving to become a principal at Libertyville Elementary District 70. Coleman replaces Carol Gibbs who will serve as curriculum coordinator in District 62’s instructional services department.

Flores is a National Board Certified Teacher who has served as associate principal at Oak Terrace Elementary School in North Shore School District 112 since 2010. She began her career as a dual language teacher at District 112’s Northwood Junior High School. She also served as the district’s athletic/activity supervisor and summer school director.

Coleman has served as a principal in Pembroke Community Consolidated School District 259 in Hopkins Park since 2011. He started his career as a middle schoolteacher in Posen-Robbins School District 143.5 in Posen. He previously taught middle school in Matteson and served as an assistant principal in Ford Heights.