On March 6, 2023, the USD 250 Board of Education approved Instructional Coach Michelle Wheeler as the new Principal at Lakeside Elementary.

"We are excited to have Michelle join our administrative team. She has been a valuable staff member for many years and has taken on leadership roles within her building in the past two years. With her knowledge of the building, staff, and programs, it should be a seamless transition for next year." Mr. Richard Proffit shared.

Wheeler is no stranger to the district; her experience began in 1998 as a permanent substitute teacher, and she went on to coordinate Summer Boost Academy and Dragon Academy. Her first year teaching was in fifth grade at Lakeside, where she served for nine years before becoming the Title Reading Coordinator in 2009. In 2022 USD 250 added Instructional Coaches at all four elementary schools; Wheeler filled this position at Lakeside and SFA Facilitator. 

Wheeler says she is excited about the new position, "I want to thank the USD 250 Board of Education for this opportunity."

Wheeler will assume her new duties effective July 2023.