Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 has hired a new principal for Madison School, who is coming with 19 years of experience at Frankfort Elementary District 157-C.
Barbara Shanahan replaces Kim Rutan, who is leaving after six years in the position. Rutan will continue work through June 30, before moving on to take a job as principal at Ellsworth Elementary School in Naperville Unit District 203.
Shanahan was chosen from a field of 67 applicants and will receive a salary of $103,000.
“Ms. Shanahan’s passion for education, her focus on doing what is best for children and her success in leadership roles made her a standout candidate for this position,” District 181 Superintendent Hector Garcia said. “We are excited to introduce her to the Madison community and look forward to her joining our administrative team.”
Shanahan worked most recently as assistant principal of Grand Prairie Elementary School and previously as instructional coach and teacher leader. She began her career as a first grade teacher in Frankfort and has served as assistant principal for the past three years. During that time, she created curriculum, planned professional development and institute days and led data teams to improve curriculum and instruction.
Along with her work in Frankfort, Shanahan has worked as an adjunct faculty member at St. Xavier University in Chicago and Benedictine University in Lisle. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, and three master’s degrees — Elementary Education and Reading from the University of St. Francis and Educational Leadership from Governors State University. Her doctorate is expected to be conferred in May 2022.
“I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the principal of Madison Elementary school,” Shanahan said. “I look forward to the opportunity to join the exceptional team at Madison and work collaboratively with families and staff to ensure that all students are successful academically, socially, and emotionally.”
District 181 Board President Margaret Kleber said Shanahan brings many strengths to Madison School and the district’s leadership team.
“Her calm and reflective leadership style, and her ability to create a positive school culture, is a great fit for District 181,” Kleber said.