Johnston names five new elementary assistant principals

JOHNSTON, Ia. (March 28, 2023) — The Johnston Community School District has selected five new assistant principals (APs) who will join the administrative team at each of the district’s five elementary schools in 2023-2024, pending April 10 approval by the school board.New Assistant Principals 2023 2024

The new assistant principals are:

  • Beaver Creek Elementary: Nick Gomez
  • Horizon Elementary: Char Brown
  • Lawson Elementary: Stephanie Ingle
  • Timber Ridge Elementary: Evan Hammans
  • Wallace Elementary: Matt Todd

The assistant principal positions were created Feb. 10 by the school board, in a vote that also created assistant principal positions at Johnston Middle School and Johnston High School. The change sunsets the student support facilitator (SSF) positions at elementary schools, and the student support specialist (SSS) position at JMS. The vote also added a counselor at both Summit and Johnston Middle Schools.

​​“We are thrilled with the great response to these new positions, and thankful for the additional support that these assistant principals will provide to both the students and staff at our elementary schools,” Superintendent Laura Kacer said. “We welcome each of these five to the Administrative Team, and look forward to their partnership and leadership.”

Three of the new assistant principals — Gomez, Brown and Todd — are currently student support facilitators (SSFs), who are teachers serving in leadership roles. With this move to assistant principals, they will now become part of the district’s Administrative Team and will have the ability to take on additional responsibilities, such as conducting teacher evaluations and making decisions on Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs).

Here’s more about each of the new APs:

NicholasGomezBeaver Creek Elementary:  Nick Gomez

Gomez is currently the student support facilitator at Beaver Creek. “As a teacher leader, I’m involved in various experiences that will serve me well as a school leader,” Gomez said, including planning professional development, coaching classroom teachers and serving as a Building Leadership Team member. “I am relationship-focused and work hard to connect students, families, and staff to school. I also guide our various student leadership group activities in the community.” Gomez received his Master of Science in Educational Leadership at Drake University in 2016, a principal preparation program that includes effective and research-based best practices around school leadership.

 

CharleneBrownHorizon Elementary:  Char Brown

Brown is currently the student support facilitator at Horizon. “While I have not had the formal title of administrator, I have had many administrative experiences and responsibilities,” she said, explaining that she’s developed positive relationships with students, staff, and families and gained trust. “My educational philosophy is progressive in nature. I am a relationship-builder and believe for learning to take place, there has to be a positive community in the classroom and in the school. This community is one of respect where students and staff feel safe to ask questions and learn and grow from their mistakes.” Brown received a Masters in Educational Leadership with a license of principalship from the University of Iowa in May 2021.

Stephanie IngleLawson Elementary:  Stephanie Ingle

Ingle comes to Johnston from the Southeast Polk Community School District, where she is a School Administration Manager for Clay Elementary and the Transportation Department. She was previously a 1st, 2nd and 3rd-grade teacher in Carlisle. “I believe students come first and I will always work tirelessly to build relationships with students and connect with their families,” she said. “I am approachable and empathetic but also dedicated to system improvement and continuous learning. … My core values are growth and inclusion, which go hand in hand with my desire to improve equity within my realm of work.” Ingle earned her Master of Education with an emphasis in higher education from Upper Iowa University in August 2019. She is now working on her Doctor of Education in Leadership with Principal Licensure at Drake University. She anticipates earning her admin license in May 2023, and her doctorate in May 2024.

Evan Hammans photoTimber Ridge Elementary:  Evan Hammans

Hammans is currently an assistant principal at Adel and Meadow View Elementary in the ADM Community School District. He previously served as a principal at Washington Elementary in Fairfield. “I have become a firm believer that it is an instructional leader’s responsibility to positively impact instructional outcomes for all students in the areas of academics and social-emotional learning,” he said. Hammans said he values putting students first, diversity and inclusivity, and community engagement. Hammans received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Morningside College in December 2015. He received a PreK-12 Principal Licensure, Director of Special Education and New Evaluator Approval Licensure from Viterbo University in summer 2020. 

MattToddWallace Elementary:  Matt Todd

Todd is currently the student support facilitator at Wallace, working with and aiding the professional development of 35 associates. “In the last 26 years, I have acquired a strong set of leadership, teaching, communication, technological and mentoring skills through classroom teaching and leadership roles in the Johnston Community School District,” he said. “For 19 years I taught third grade, and for five years I taught fourth grade. Then, two years ago, I leveraged my technological skills to swiftly set up online resources for first grade students and their parents.” Todd received his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Iowa State University in May 2004.

The five assistant principals will assist their building principal in providing leadership and supervision in promoting the educational development and achievement of students. They will also provide leadership in program development and improvement, as well as in professional staff development. They will serve as the principal when their school’s principal is absent.