DR. MICHAEL S. SMITH

I am extremely proud to be a West Aurora Blackhawk! As a student, I attended District 129 schools K-12. I began my teaching career back in 1999 as a second grade teacher at Hall Elementary School. In 2004, I became the assistant principal at Hill Elementary School. From 2006-2016, I was the principal at Freeman Elementary School. From there, I became the principal at Hill Elementary School from 2016-2019.

I am currently going into my fifth year as the principal of Jewel Middle School. Jaguars embrace challenge and are committed to relationships and getting involved. I look forward to partnering with the Jewel Middle School community again during the 2023-2024 school year. 

LEAD, SERVE, INSPIRE!

Mr. Peter Martino

I am new to School District 129, having served in in Community High School District 94 for the past twenty years. Most recently, I served as assistant principal of West Chicago Community High School, a role I held for fifteen years. My responsibilities included mentoring and evaluating teachers, managing facility usage, and overseeing student discipline and attendance. 

Before serving as assistant principal, I was the dean of students and director of student activities for three years. My primary responsibilities included monitoring and enforcing student behavior expectations as well as overseeing sponsors, clubs, events, and activities at the high school. 

I also spent two years as a coordinator at the district’s Academic Skills Center, where I operated and managed a highly-structured educational support program for at-risk students aimed at improving success rates in core academic areas. 

I began my educational career at Franklin Middle School in Wheaton Community Unit School District 200 as an English teacher and team leader, a role I held for four years. 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education from Elmhurst College and a Master of Education in educational leadership from National Louis University. 

In the coming school year, I look forward to embracing the curiosity, complexity and joy of learning with our students and staff!

Mr. tim mckenna

I am excited to start my 6th year as the assistant principal at Jewel Middle School. I began my professional career as a physical education and health teacher in a kindergarten through grade eight building.  I came to West Aurora in 2005 and I worked as a physical education teacher and football, basketball, and track coach. I became a student services specialist at Jefferson Middle School in 2007. I have been married for 20 years and I have 15 year old son and a 8 year old daughter.  I love going for bike rides with my family and cheering on the Chicago sports teams. 

MRs. lauren rymarz

I am excited to be continuing my professional journey within the School District 129 community as dean of students at Jewel Middle School. Since 2014, I served as a social studies teacher at West Aurora High School. During my time at West High, I initiated and developed an Advanced Placement^® history course, acted as head badminton coach, and lead a professional learning community. I am grateful for the mentorship and opportunities that I was given during my time at West, and I am looking forward to new opportunities as a Jewel Jaguar.