District 88 appoints new Assistant Principal at Addison Trail

During its April 12 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to name Michael Warren (pictured above) as Addison Trail’s new Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, effective July 1. Warren will succeed Assistant Principal Dr. Courtney DeMent, who will transition to the role of Principal at Downers Grove North High School. District 88 thanks Dr. DeMent for her 19 years of service and positive impact on the district’s learning community and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

Warren is a familiar face to District 88, as he has been a science teacher at Willowbrook since 2002. During that time, Warren has demonstrated leadership in his role as a classroom teacher and in his union positions. He was instrumental in the design and implementation of the science department’s curriculum and assessment program; he built a successful Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level biology program, increasing enrollment from 12 students to more than 70; and he coauthored the student growth portion of District 88’s Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) and Willowbrook’s Warrior Time resource model. Outside of District 88, Warren collaborated with educators throughout Illinois to create the Illinois Science Assessment. Beyond the classroom, Warren has coached the Willowbrook Football Team and the Boys Track and Field Team and has sponsored the Willowbrook Science Olympiad Team.

“Mr. Warren has been part of the culture at District 88 for nearly 20 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Addison Trail family as one of our assistant principals,” said Michael Bolden, Addison Trail Principal. “His knowledge, skills and passion will be a tremendous asset to ensure the Blazer Pride at Addison Trail continues for years to come.”

Warren earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University, his Master of Science in Education degree from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Science in Biology degree from University of Nebraska. He is pursuing his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree from Concordia University.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the Board’s support to appoint Mr. Warren to this position,” said Dr. Jean Barbanente, District 88 Interim Superintendent. “His inclusive and culturally responsive instructional and grading practices have served as exemplary models for how to accelerate the learning of students who are accessing more rigorous courses for the first time. I am confident he will add immense value to the Addison Trail and District 88 administrative teams.”

Warren lives in Wheaton with his wife, Maura, and their children, Audra, Bernie and Tabitha.

“I am honored and excited to join the exceptional staff at Addison Trail,” Warren said. “I look forward to continuing the work the school and district have done in raising student achievement, while ensuring every student graduates college, career and culturally ready for their life beyond the classroom. I intend to be a collaborative member of the school team, working closely with teachers to link their curriculum, instruction and assessment practices to help them bring out the best in students each and every day. I truly believe in educating the whole student and look forward to helping the school continue to improve with social-emotional learning, equity and culturally responsive teaching practices.”