Hello! I am Don Wicker, the new principal of Gary D. Wright Elementary School! I am honored to introduce myself to such a wonderful, welcoming community. It is with great enthusiasm to welcome all of the new students and families that will enter our beautiful building at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.

For the past three years, I have been an Assistant Principal in District 300 at Westfield Community School. Prior to my administrative experience, I taught eighth grade in Woodstock, Illinois. While teaching eighth grade, I also had the opportunity to coach wrestling, football, basketball and track. Before teaching eighth grade, I taught 5^th grade for two years in Crystal Lake. I have been fortunate to have teaching experience at both the elementary and middle school levels. Being an administrator at Westfield has also allowed me the opportunity to work with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Through these wonderful experiences, I have discovered that my passion lies in helping provide the highest quality of education for children at the elementary level. I am lucky to have a job that allows me to see the wonder and excitement of learning through the eyes of a child. I am also fortunate to work closely with wonderful teachers and parents who are committed to providing the best education possible for the children in our community.

My family life also seems to be centered around the educational world. My wife, Wendy, has been an elementary school teacher for the past 14 years. She teaches in Woodstock, where we have also resided for the past 7 years. Wendy and I have three beautiful daughters. Two of my three daughters will be attending elementary school next year. Georgia, will be in third grade at my wife's school and my middle daughter Sophia will be in kindergarten. Our youngest daughter, Ella, is two years old and will be attending pre-school one day a week. My family and I look forward to becoming a part of the Hampshire community and we thank you for the welcome we have already received.

At Gary D. Wright Elementary, please know that my staff and I will do whatever possible to create a wonderful, positive and exciting learning environment for the children entering our doors in the fall. We hope that you, as the parents, will want to play an important role in our learning community as well. Please feel free to contact me at don.wicker@d300.org or call me at Westfield at 847-458-1900 if you have any questions, concerns or compliments. I also would like to encourage all parents to feel free to volunteer their time and/or services in any way that they feel comfortable. We look forward to working together closely to help establish a true learning community.

Sincerely,

Don Wicker
Principal
Gary D. Wright Elementary School