The Evergreen Park School District 124 Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of a new leader for Central Middle School. Mr. Shannon Swilley, an experienced middle school administrator, will be taking the helm on July 1, 2021.

Mr. Swilley comes to Evergreen Park from Bourbonnais Elementary School District 53, where he currently serves as a middle school principal. His background in education includes building an academic continuum with the high school, equitable educational opportunities for all students and continuing education and engagement for the children and their families.

“Mr. Swilley will be an incredible, child-centered leader for Central Middle School,” D124 co-interim superintendents Dr. Margaret Longo and Dr. Lela Bridges-Webb agreed. “Bright, talented and grounded in equitable educational practices, he will work closely with teachers, students and families to enrich programs, develop strong relationships and increase academic outcomes.”

Prior to being named principal of D53’s Upper Grade Center, Swilley served as the school’s associate principal. He has also worked as a Dean of Students at Kankakee High School and as an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University, where he instructed students seeking master’s degrees in Curriculum & Instruction.

Swilley holds master’s degrees in Education School Improvement & Leadership and in teaching from Olivet Nazarene University, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in History while starring on the ONU basketball team.

"I am excited for and humbled by the opportunity to serve the students, teachers and community of Evergreen Park School District 124,” Swilley said.

Throughout his professional career, Swilley has focused on creating and implementing equity plans and facilitating culturally responsive teaching. He has been named as the Kankakee High School Educator of the Year and was selected as a Kankakee County 40 Under Forty Recipient.

As the next principal of CMS, Swilley will replace Mrs. Kathleen Prado who served as principal as the interim principal for the last two years.