Lemont's Oakwood School has new assistant principal

LEMONT - The Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education has named a new assistant principal for Oakwood Elementary School.

Ryan Talaga, currently a dean at Chelsea Intermediate School in Frankfort School District 157C, will assume the assistant principal position on July 1.

Talaga holds a master of arts degree in educational leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. He has served as a physical education educator in Frankfort School District 157C and in Lemont District 113A prior to becoming a dean.

"It is an honor and a privilege to join Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A and to be a part of the Oakwood family," Talaga said in a news release. "I look forward to serving the families of Oakwood School and building a love for learning alongside an amazing staff. I am thrilled to be a part of such a supportive community, and I can’t wait to welcome the students to school this fall.”

The district said the appointment comes after an extensive search process including a candidate pool of more than 100 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews.

During the interview process, Talaga was described as "student-centered, energetic, sincere and invested," as well as someone who is "relatable and ready to positively influence the school culture at Oakwood."

"Mr. Talaga was a standout applicant throughout the entire interview process," said recently hired Oakwood principal Kate Kwasny. "It was evident that Mr. Talaga’s experience, his compassion for student excellence and dedication to Lemont makes him the perfect addition to the Oakwood family.”