Note: The featured photo was taken pre-COVID.
Dear Lester Community,
As you are aware, Lester Principal Carin Novak will retire this summer, and Lester Assistant Principal Katie Novosel will take her place as the new Lester principal. This created an assistant principal vacancy at Lester.
We are pleased to announce that Lauri Smith will fill this vacancy. Mrs. Smith is the current assistant principal at Hillcrest and Pierce Downer schools, a role she has held with distinction since 2018. As assistant principal, Mrs. Smith has cultivated strong relationships with the students, staff and families at both of her schools. She is a positive, self-motivated educator and is passionate about supporting student growth. We are certain that Mrs. Smith will be an asset to the entire Lester community! In addition, Mrs. Smith is excited for her new role and looks forward to serving Lester’s larger school community.
Prior to District 58, Mrs. Smith served as an assistant principal in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, as the assistant director of student services in Naperville School District 203, and as a special education/resource teacher for Troy Community Consolidated School District 30C, Evergreen Park School District 124 and the Kendall County Special Education Cooperative.
Mrs. Smith earned her master’s degree in educational leadership and administration with a special education director endorsement from Lewis University and a bachelor’s degree in special education and teaching from Northern Illinois University. She is currently pursuing her doctor of education with a superintendent endorsement through the University of St. Francis.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Smith to Lester School! Mrs. Smith will visit Lester and introduce herself to the students and staff later this spring; she will also introduce herself to families over the summer. Congratulations, Mrs. Smith, on your new role!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Russell
Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Carin Novak
Principal of Lester School
Mrs. Katie Novosel
Assistant Principal of Lester School