Addison Trail and Willowbrook name new Assistant Principals

On July 1, Addison Trail and Willowbrook will each welcome a new Assistant Principal to their administrative team – and they’re both familiar faces to the schools.

Iridia Nevarez-Niewinski graduated from Addison Trail in 1992 and never dreamed she would be a leader of the school 22 years later.

She served as a Dean at Addison Trail from 2007 to 2012 and has been a Guidance Counselor for the school’s ACHIEVE program since 2012. Starting on July 1, she will take on a new role at the school as an Assistant Principal.

“In my previous positions, I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing leaders who have inspired me to go for this role,” Nevarez-Niewinski said. “It’s a bit surreal. I never imagined I would return to Addison Trail – let alone be an administrator.”

The District 88 Board of Education approved Nevarez-Niewinski’s new position during its Jan. 13 meeting. She will join the Addison Trail administrative team as an Assistant Principal, and Doug Wildes, who is currently an Assistant Principal at Addison Trail, will join the administrative team at Willowbrook. Wildes will succeed Assistant Principal Ann Kimpton, who will retire at the end of this school year after 19 years with District 88.

During her time at Addison Trail, Nevarez-Niewinski has started a club called LADIES, which aims to assist Latina students, and has sponsored the INTERACT Club and the International Dance Show. She also helps with the Padres Latinos en Acción meetings. Nevarez-Niewinski began her career as a juvenile probation officer and later became a bilingual teacher in School District U-46 in Elgin. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Benedictine University in 1996 and has three master’s degrees in education, educational administration and school counseling.

“Those experiences taught me important skills that have prepared me to become an Assistant Principal,” Nevarez-Niewinski said. “I know there will be challenges, but I look forward to working with this wonderful administrative team and offering a different perspective.”

She added her goal is to implement her visions to make sure Addison Trail continues to provide the best services possible to help all students succeed.

Wildes said he’s looking forward to sharing with and learning from the administrative team at Willowbrook.

“I want to make sure the staff and students know I’m here to support them and to develop into a Willowbrook team member,” Wildes said. “I’m excited to work with everyone to continue and enhance all the great things being done here. I want to be a mentor for students and staff and maintain our focus on putting kids first. The schools are a beacon for the community, and I’m truly excited for this next chapter in my life.”

Wildes joined Addison Trail in 2003. He served as the Social Studies Department Chair from 2008 to 2012 and was the Response to Intervention Coordinator from 2010 to 2012. He became an Assistant Principal in July 2012. He also coached football and baseball during his years with the school. Wildes received his bachelor's degree in 2002 from Benedictine University and was a student teacher at Addison Trail before he was hired. He earned his master's degree in educational administration in 2007 from Northern Illinois University, and he's working toward his doctorate in educational administration through Northern Illinois University.