The principal of Rolling Meadows High School was named the 2023 Illinois High School “Principal of the Year” by education association Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association.
Eileen Hart, who has been principal of the northwest suburban high school for 12 years and plans to retire this year, was recognized for demonstrating a positive impact on students and the learning community, according to a news release announcing the honor.
According to the release, the award also recognizes a principal who works toward a school climate that is positive and includes high staff and student morale, works collaboratively with teachers and staff to improve educational programs and student achievement, while involving the community in the life of the school.
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Earlier this school year, Hart and RMHS – which is one of the six high schools that makes up Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 – hosted first lady Jill Biden and several cabinet members of President Joe Biden’s administration. Months later, one of the students highlighted during that visit was invited to be the first lady’s guest at the State of the Union address.
“Being a principal is a complex leadership role that does not seem to be getting any easier,” Hart stated in the news release.
In the release, she identified some attributes she considers necessary to be a principal, including removing barriers that hinder student growth and opportunity and “to build college and career pathways students can explore while in high school, which allow students to discover and dream about their postsecondary opportunities and to create a school environment where critical conversations around learning and race take place.”
RMHS is one of the SD 214 schools that exposes students to a variety of trades, career and early college opportunities during high school. The school’s engineering and manufacturing pathways program was showcased during Biden’s visit – which also marked the start of National Apprenticeship Week.
“During her tenure as principal, Eileen has led with courage and conviction, turning around years of stagnant academic growth, expanding access to early college opportunities, and leading early implementation of career pathways,” Lazaro Lopez, then-SD214 associate superintendent, said in the release. “In addition to leading efforts to significantly expand early college access, she also led the implementation of nationally recognized career pathways. This includes one of the only high schools offering an agriculture pathway in North Cook, earning her recognition by the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education as the 2022 Advocacy Award recipient. Eileen Hart secured the funding to build a state-of-the-art greenhouse, recruit staff, and develop a veterinary assistant program in partnership with College of DuPage.”
Prior to becoming principal, Hart was the academic division head for English language learners, social science and world language at Wheeling High School. she has been a member of the Illinois Principals Association since she became a principal in 2011 and has been part of the IPA Legislative Committee since 2018.
According to the release, Hart was selected from a pool of nominees. She will be recognized at the IPA’s Education Leaders Annual Conference in October with a plaque and $1,000 honorarium.
Horace Mann, the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators’ financial needs, is a partner with the IPA for the award.