New principal named for Lester School in Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE - The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education Monday approved the appointment of Katie Novosel as principal of Lester School.

Novosel, who currently serves as Lester’s assistant principal, will begin her new role on July 1.

“I am very happy to promote Mrs. Novosel to the Lester principal position. The interview teams described Mrs. Novosel as child-centered, supportive, energetic, intelligent, caring and thoughtful,” Superintendent Kevin Russell said. “Additionally, as Lester’s current assistant principal, Mrs. Novosel has cultivated strong relationships with her school community and goes to great lengths to support her students, staff and families. She is already a beloved member of the Lester community, and I have complete confidence that she will serve as an exceptional principal!”

Russell said that Novosel excelled throughout a very intense and competitive interview process, which comprised several rounds of team interviews with staff, parents and administrators. Additionally, Lester parents and staff completed surveys identifying the characteristics they most desired in their new principal, and Russell held a Lester student focus group to hear directly from students about what they seek in their principal.

“The Lester students were very forthcoming and insightful, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn how they envisioned their new school leader,” Russell said. “We used feedback from our interview teams, the surveys and the focus group to make an informed hiring decision.”

Novosel has served as Lester School’s assistant principal since 2016. In this role, she has guided staff through curriculum implementations, created building schedules, facilitated special education and Response to Intervention, evaluated staff, partnered with the PTA and other community groups and assisted the principal with the day-to-day operations of the school.

She previously served in Riverside District 96 for two years as a math Response to Intervention (RTI) specialist and two years at Lyons District 103 as a reading RTI specialist. Prior to that, Novosel taught first grade for seven years.

She holds a master of arts in principal preparation with administrative certification and a master of arts in curriculum & instruction with ESL endorsement, both from Concordia University. She also holds a bachelor of science in education with elementary education certification from Illinois State University.

“For the past five years, I have had the privilege of getting to know the incredible students, staff and families of the Lester community,” Novosel said. “It is truly an honor to be chosen to serve as the next principal of Lester School.”

Novosel lives in Downers Grove with her husband and two daughters, who attend a District 58 school.

Novosel will replace Lester Principal Carin Novak, who will retire at the end of this school year after serving as Lester’s principal for 12 years.