Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A names new assistant superintendent

LEMONT – Daniela Fountain will be the new assistant superintendent for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A beginning July 1, 2017.

The announcement came from current Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Gricus, who will retire June 30, 2017, after 29 years in the district.

“I’m looking forward to working with Daniela for a smooth transition,” Gricus said. “I did it for 29 years and I wish her the best.”

Fountain, director of curriculum and assessment in Troy School District 30C, holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an English as a Second Language endorsement from National Louis University as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University.

Fountain earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University. She was the recipient of DuPage County’s Annie Ryan Mentor of the Year and has presented locally, statewide and nationally.

Fountain also is a product of Lemont schools, having attended Oakwood, Central and Bromberek. She taught in Pekin in central Illinois after graduation, then moved back to the Chicago area.

“I taught at Schiller Park School District and was also the curriculum facilitator for the school district,” she said. “From there, I came to Troy. I’m on my sixth year here and looking forward to joining the 113 family next year. It’s really exciting to come back to such a great place.”

The Board of Education approved the appointment of Fountain on Oct. 19. The appointment follows a rigorous and extensive search process that included a candidate pool of more than 70 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews with district administrators, staff members, the Board of Education, and parent and community leaders. The interview process also included a performance assessment related to data analysis and communicating progress and goals to the board and community.

“We’re really excited for Daniela to continue her work with the district,” Superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel said. “I think she has a very strong foundation in curriculum instruction and assessment,” and she understands systems thinking and a systems approach in putting solid frameworks in place. I think she’s going to take us where we are and grow even further.”