DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) — The Unified School District of De Pere has announced the Director of Curriculum and Instruction position will be split into separate elementary and secondary leadership positions following the retirement of current Director of Curriculum Instruction, Shelly Thomas, in June 2023.
The district says the change is being made to provide greater focus and support to the schools and teachers.
The school board has selected Ms. Kathy Van Pay, current Principal of Heritage Elementary School, to serve as the Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Nick Joseph, current Principal of De Pere High School, will serve as the Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction. Both will start their position in the 2023-24 school year.
Ms. Van Pay has 34 years of experience in Education, and has been the Principal at Heritage Elementary since 2008. She holds her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from UW-Madison and her graduate degree in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. In addition, Ms. Van Pay is currently enrolled in the Executive Ph.D. program through UW-Madison with anticipated completion in 2024.
Mr. Joseph has been employed in the District since 1997, and has been the Principal at De Pere High School since 2015. He received his undergraduate degree in Math education from St. Norbert College and his graduate degree in Educational Administration from Marian University.
The principal positions for the 2023-24 school year for both Heritage Elementary School and De Pere High School will be posted today. Interested internal and external candidates are invited to apply.
