Interim principal named at Bednarcik Jr. High School

School District 308 Board of Education recently approved the appointment of John Francis as interim principal at Bednarcik Junior High School in Aurora.

Francis was the assistant principal at Bednarcik and has replaced former Bednarcik Principal Dr. Sharon Alexander, who now serves as the assistant director of assessment, data, and accountability for District 308.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Bednarcik as interim principal. I have had the opportunity to work in some great settings with exceptional people over the last 11 years. Bednarcik is no different,” said Francis. “The community and staff will do whatever is needed to support the students we serve. Being a part of the leadership team we have in SD308 is humbling and I am thrilled to take the next step as principal.”

Francis joined District 308 in 2005 to teach fourth and fifth grade at Old Post and Hunt Club elementary schools.

In 2011, he became the assistant principal for both schools. He then became Long Beach Elementary School’s full-time assistant principal in 2013, a position he held until 2015, when he accepted an assistant principal position at Bednarcik.

Francis received his undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 2004, and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University, Chicago, in 2009.

Alexander has served as Bednarcik Junior High School’s principal since 2013 before assuming her new role in the assessment, data and accountability department.

“John made wonderful connections with the students and community last year and will be a wonderful leader for Bednarcik,” said Alexander.  “I am excited to work with student data and finding instructional information that truly impacts growth for all students.”

Alexander earned her undergraduate degree in English education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, her master’s degree in educational administration from Governors State University, University Park.

She recently completed her doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University.