Lisle High School’s next principal, Mr. Martzolf, and the incoming Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Megan Ewald, visited Lisle’s campus on Tuesday, May 21, for an informal meet and greet in the library.
As Mr. Howard parts his ranks as principal and Mr. Martzolf enters as LHS’s next leader, he plans to take a subtle approach to change and be involved with students and their activities.
Mr. Martzolf comes to Lisle with over 30 years of experience in education at the high school level. Mr. Martzolf started his career as a math teacher at Wheaton District 200 and Downers Grove 58. While he was at District 58, he was the math department head at Downers Grove South. In 2009, Mr. Martzolf became Assistant Principal of Operations at Hinsdale South. After eight years in that position, he switched to his current position of Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction.
Mr. Martzolf holds an undergraduate degree from Marquette University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from DePaul University, and an advanced Certification in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Colorado, Denver.
District 202’s recommendation to the board for hiring Mr. Martzolf highlighted that while at Hinsdale South, “he has helped lead grade-level departments to eliminate lower-level classes and support all students and their instructional needs in their grade-appropriate classes.”
When asked about what changes Martzolf would bring to this new role based on his accomplishments at Hinsdale South, he said, “taking the time to talk with the students and staff to truly find out what the foundational values are at Lisle and listen[ing] to what they have to say before I even consider making a change.”
Martzolf’s experiences have mostly been at big high schools. Coming to a smaller school, Martzolf believes, “The class size of Lisle allows us as adults to get to know students, their strengths, and their talents. Additionally, it allows for the students’ voices to be heard.”
Mr. Martzolf enjoys being an administrator. He says that while he has to sit through many meetings, he loves having the ability to go into classrooms and see “all of the amazing things that teachers are doing and interact with students. I truly love all of the other things that come with being in a high school – talking to students in the hallways and cafe, the assemblies, going to concerts, games, club activities, everything!”
Lisle’s administrative team will also welcome a new Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, as Mrs. Sheri Costello will leave LHS to become the new Principal at Benet Academy. Dr. Megan Ewald, currently a Science Division Chair at York High School, will assume the role, effective July 1.