New District 86 Principals
Four Joliet Public Schools District 86 administrators were promoted to take on new responsibilities serving as school principals. Laticha Henry takes over at Edna Keith Elementary, Melissa Crosby at Marycrest Early Childhood Center, Amy Mucha at Sator Sanchez Elementary, and Shavon Pittman will be the new principal at Washington Junior High.
In addition, five new assistant principals were also named. Katie Kikos will serve as the new assistant principal at M.J. Cunningham, Brian Onsager at Farragut Elementary, Dr. Yolanda Coleman at Marycrest Early Childhood Center, Mia Suarez at Sator Sanchez Elementary, and Ruairi Fennessy at Lynne Thigpen Elementary School.
“I am looking forward to the great things that will be accomplished this upcoming school year from these dedicated individuals,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “They each portray strong leadership skills, an abundance of energy, and a focus on students to their new positions.”
Laticha Henry has been in education for 21 years, including the past 7 years in District 86 that included an assistant principal position at Farragut Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and master’s degrees from Ashland University and Concordia University.
Melissa Crosby has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree from Lewis University. She has been an educator for 12 years and has previously served as an assistant principal at Sator Sanchez Elementary and academic advisor at Gompers Junior High.
Amy Mucha has spent her entire 16-year career in District 86, most recently serving as assistant principal at Sator Sanchez Elementary. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Francis and a master’s degree from Benedictine University.
Shavon Pittman has been a teacher and administrator for over 17 years, the last five years she has served as an assistant principal at Hufford Junior High. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Governor’s State University and is currently working on her doctorate degree from National Louis University.
Katie Kikos has been in education for 19 years, including 8 years in District 86. Most recently, she was an academic advisor at Washington Junior High. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, a master’s degree from Walden University, and a master’s degree from American College of Education.
Brian Onsager holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, and a master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University. He has been teacher and administrator for 17 years, including the past 7 years in District 86, most recently serving as an academic advisor at Gompers Junior High.
Dr. Yolanda Coleman has been a life-long educator for 27 years, the past 20 years in District 86. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University and earned her doctorate from the University of St. Francis.
Prior to coming to District 86, Mia Suarez served as an assistant principal and a dean of students with Peoria School District and Limestone High School. Mia has 15 years teaching experience and 5 years as an administrator. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University and two master’s degrees from Western Illinois University.
Ruairi Fennessy has been in education for 19 years, including the past four years in District 86 serving as an academic advisor at Gompers Junior High. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and master’s degree from DePaul University.
Joliet Public Schools District 86 is the third largest elementary school district in Illinois serving approximately 10,000 students in grades PreKindergarten through eighth grade at 21 schools in the city of Joliet.