Alexandra Oreluk started on the job as principal of Gemini Middle School as of earlier this summer, but her work more officially began as she welcomed students back to school starting Aug. 19 following summer break.
“My number one goal, being new, is just to get to know the kids and the staff as soon as possible – build meaningful connections and relationships with them,” Oreluk told Pioneer Press. “Having positive connections with the students allows us to be our very best and help them reach their own personal goals that they may have.”
She plans to be visible in the hallways, visit classrooms and hangout in the lunch spaces in an effort to “be intentional” about helping make some of those connections.
She recalled during the first days of the new school year, which started Aug. 19, talking with a group of eighth graders during their lunch period who wanted to understand where her soccer loyalties lie.
“Are you a [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi fan?” she said two students in the group wanted to know.
The new principal pointed to “positive success” Gemini has already established, and said she looks forward to continuing that. She called “really great” some of the standing school processes and instructional practices.
Oreluk said she has no intentions of making any immediate changes at the school, but didn’t rule out that there would ever be any.
“Any changes … will be thoughtful, planned out, making sure I get to know the building – well – I get to know the staff, get to know the kids. There are a lot of really great things going on,” she said. “I think you can find things to adjust and tweak, as needed, but like right now none. I’m not here to overhaul or anything like that, just really continue the good work that’s going on.”
The East Maine School District 63 board of education approved the appointment of Oreluk this past spring to the seven-school district’s lone middle school, tapping her from west suburban Willow Springs School District 108 where she was a principal at one of its schools.
Oreluk officially stepped into the role as of July 1, taking over Gemini from Lewis Roberts, who departed the district, officials explained.
According to a bio provided by the district, Oreluk started her career as a special education teacher at North Palos School District 117 in southwest suburban Hickory Hills. She moved on to roles as assistant principal at south suburban Frankfort Community Consolidated School District 157-C and Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 in the west suburbs before going to Willow Springs in 2021.
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She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, her master’s degree in principal preparation from Concordia University and her doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University, according to the bio.
“Dr. Oreluk stood out throughout the selection process for her communication, integrity, instructional leadership, and passion for middle-level education. She brings a well-rounded background that includes success as a teacher and administrator, a proven commitment to high expectations, consistent follow-through, and student-centered leadership,” District 63 Superintendent Shawn Schleizer stated in a news release after board approval of Oreluk’s appointment.
Des Plaines-based East Maine School District 63 enrolls some 3,600 students across five K-5 schools, Gemini and a pre-K center. The middle school has about 1,100 students. Students live in the surrounding towns of Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Glenview and Park Ridge.
Freelance photographer Audrey Richardson contributed.