The Oswego School District 308 Board of Education has appointed Shanell Lawson to the position of assistant principal at Murphy Junior High School in Plainfield for the 2020-2021 school year.

Lawson's appointment was approved at the July 13 meeting of the Board of Education. According to district documents, Lawson will earn a base salary of $67,745 for the school year.

Lawson began as a guest teacher/teaching assistant at Pioneer Elementary School in Bolingbrook in 2008, according to a press statement issued by OSD 308. At Pioneer Elementary, Lawson taught mixed-ability students in first and second grades. From 2012-2014, Lawson taught kindergarten at Wood View Elementary School in Bolingbrook, and taught as a challenge teacher for fourth and fifth grades at Jonas Salk Elementary School from 2014 until 2017.

In her most recent position, Lawson served as a teaching and learning coach at Wood View Elementary School, where she "utilized various coaching models to support teachers with instructional best practices aligned to the building's goals," according to the press statement.

Director of Junior High Education Shannon Lueders said, "We are excited to have Shanell Lawson join our Junior High Administration team. Her experiences in coaching teachers and her knowledge of instructional strategies will benefit both staff and students at Murphy Junior High."

Lawson earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from North Central College, and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Francis.

"I am excited to be joining School District 308 as the Assistant Principal of Murphy Junior High. I look forward to supporting a diverse community of learners by partnering with students, staff, families and community members to ensure a positive and successful learning experience for our students,” Lawson said.