Changing Places and New Faces: School District 135

Updated, Friday, Aug. 26

Students and families can expect to see some new faces in their school buildings. There have been some pretty major changes in administrative positions throughout the district for the upcoming school year.

Get to know your new Orland School District 135 assistant principals and principals.

Dave Snyder, Principal 

The assistant principal of Liberty School for the past four years, Mr. Snyder will begin his fifth year with the district as principal. 

In his new role as principal, he looks most forward to continuing to work with all of his students and their families. According to Snyder, he has "a tremendous passion for working as a team with our wonderful teachers to improve education and to provide our students with the best opportunities to succeed."

"My entire educational philosophy is predicated on respect," Snyder said. "Students and families should feel welcomed to a building where kids are assured that they will feel safe, comfortable, and unthreatened so that they can focus on learning and feeling successful." 

Snyder welcomes every opportunity to work with parents towards their child's success. He also welcomes communication via phone, email or even just by stopping in at the school to speak with him. 

"Unless something extreme has arisen, I have a 24 hour policy in getting back to parents regardless of their questions, comments, or concerns," he said. 

Snyder added that working with students and families is his passion and the reason why he is in this profession. 

Nancy Stachura, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Stachura has been with District 135 for 10 years. She started as a reading interventionist at Park School where she worked for five years. 

She moved on to work at High Point School for the past 5 years as assistant principal, and will continue to hold that position in conjunction with her position as assistant principal at Liberty. She will divide her time between the two schools.

Stachura said she is looking forward to getting to know all of the students and staff. 

"I will have twice as many names to learn, but am excited to begin," she said.

Stachura anticipates that sharing classroom knowledge learned at each school with the other will help make the most of her presence at both schools. She wants parents to know that she is "always available to discuss, answer or listen to any question, concern or idea they may have." 

"I firmly believe in the team approach to problem solving, so I may call upon the expertise of our social workers, nurses, resource teachers, in different situations," said Stachura.

Dr. Ann Marie Riordan, assistant principal

Although new to this school, Dr. Riordan is hardly a newcomer to the district. 

Working within District 135 since 1997, Riordan started at Liberty School as a 3rd grade teacher. She then was employed at the same school as an enrichment resource teacher. 

In addition to her teaching duties, she was on several committees, including school improvement, PBIS, and various curriculum groups. From 2003 to 2007, Riordan was also team leader.

Dr. Riordan is most looking forward to "working with the students, staff and parents and continuing to help make Jerling the best it can be." 

She anticipates a seamless transition into her position at Jerling.

"Since Liberty and Jerling share the same campus, the transition has been very smooth, and I have felt very welcomed by everyone."

When asked what she wanted Jerling parents to know about her, Riodan said she is "here to listen and help ensure their experiences at Jerling are the best they can be, all in preparation for transitioning to a successful high school career."

Brian Fogarty, Principal

Mr. Fogarty has been with District 135 for 11 years. 

After teaching third grade at Center School for five years, he took on the assistant principal position at Meadow Ridge. 

This year will mark his sixth year at Meadow Ridge, but his first as principal of the school. Fogarty taught for five yars before coming to District 135.  He said that he is most looking forward to as principal of Meadow Ridge is "continuing to provide a great education to the students of Orland Park.  Meadow Ridge has always been a wonderful school that provides a safe, caring, and supportive environment in which all of our students can grow and learn. I am excited to be the leader to continue that great success."  

As for what he would like the parents of incoming students to know about him, he said, "I would like parents to know that I am here to support their children, and I will continue to provide them a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. I can be contacted at anytime, and I look forward to a wonderful school year."

Heather Conrad, Assistant Principal

Heather Conrad has been working within District 135 for the past 11 years. She began as a 6th/7th grade language arts and math teacher at Jerling Jr. High.

In 2003, she became the Assistant Principal at JJH and remained there until this year when she took on the role as assistant principal at Meadow Ridge School.

Conrad said she is "most excited about the opportunity to work with the students and teachers at this grade level." Coming from a junior high level, she said she is "looking forward to learning about the curriculum and instruction that takes place at this (grade 3-5) level."

When asked what she would like parents to know about her, she said she is "here to provide support to the teachers and parents in making our students successful, life-long learners who will become contributing members of society. My goal is to help provide the best possible instruction for our students."

Cheryl Foertsch, Principal

Foertsch has been with District 135 for 27 years. She taught 3rd grade at Park School from 1985 to 1991, then at Centennial School from 1991 to 1994. She moved on to the assistant principal position at Centennial School from 1994-1995. 

She then took the role of assistant principal at Jerling Jr. High from 1995 to 1996, Orland Jr. High from 1996 to 2002 and Liberty from 2002 to 2006.  Foertsch was Principal at Liberty School from 2006-2011 and is now the new Principal at High Point School.

Foertsch says she is most looking forward to working with the staff, students and parents of the High Point Community. She explained that "it is very clear that this partnership has been strong with a focus on excelling in academic achievement and social emotional growth."

When asked what she would like the parents of her students to know about her, she said, "I would like the parents of High Point to know that I am here to serve their children together with them and their teachers. I will do my very best to communicate with parents using a variety of methods, phone, e-mail, newsletters, school web site and e-mail blasts. My goal is to be accessible and prompt with communicating to parents. I welcome all communication: formal, informal, good and bad to help our school continue to perform well and accomplish greatness!"

Brian Horn, Assistant Principal

Brian Horn is new to District 135.  After spending the last 11 years at Central Jr. High in Evergreen Park as an 8th grade langauge arts teacher and Team Leader, Horn will assume the role of Assistant Principal at Century Jr. High.  

Horn said he is "thrilled to begin my administrative career at Century. As one of the premiere school districts in the state, I have admired District 135 for many years. I feel very fortunate to be working with the very talented staff at Century. Together, we will continue the strong tradition of excellence." 

He looks forward to working with the community as a whole and said, "I truly believe that schools are a community's greatest resource. I am available to all community stakeholders, most especially, parents, students, and staff, any times. My office door is always open."

If you would like more information about each school or to speak directly with any of the District 135 staff, visit the school's website at Orland135.org.