Oak Park Elementary School District 97 has hired three new school leaders for the 2024-25 school year.
The board in June approved Tamera Phillips as the new principal of Holmes Elementary School, Marianne Rehfield as the new principal of Lincoln Elementary School, and José Gamiño as the new associate principal for climate, culture, and athletics at Julian Middle School.
“We are excited for Tamera, Marianne, and Gamiño to join Team D97,” Supt Ushma Shah said. “Each leader brings expertise and experiences that will be part of our district’s journey to universal student success. As we welcome new leaders to their roles, we are also being deliberate to plan for their smooth transition with key mentors and colleagues who know the culture of our individual school communities.”
According to district officials, the principals were selected through a process that relied on listening sessions, surveys and family participation.
Phillips comes to D97 from Waterloo, Iowa, where she was the principal at Lincoln Elementary School. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Graceland University in Iowa along with a master’s in teaching from Webster University in Missouri. She also holds a master of arts degree in school leadership from Baker University in Kansas.
She has also earned an advanced studies certificate in principalship from the University of Northern Iowa.
Phillips began as a first-grade teacher in Missouri and also worked as an instructional coach before moving into an administrative role.
“I am committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential,” Phillips said. “I look forward to collaboration and building relationships with the staff, students, and families to ensure that each member of our community thrives.”
The district said previous Holme’s interim principal John Hodge, who served for eight months, will work alongside the assistant superintendent of elementary schools Patrick Robinson, to “provide administrative support” during the transition.
The district said they will be posting the assistant principal position at Holmes, previously held by Rehfield, soon.
Rehfield holds a bachelor of art’s degree in elementary education from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana along with a master’s in curriculum and one in the school’s principal preparation program from Concordia University Chicago.
Rehfield has been committed to the district for the past 16 years, having taught at Holmes for 10 years before serving as an instructional coach. She moved into administration in 2022 after becoming the assistant principal.
“The Lincoln community voiced that it was seeking a supportive and engaging leader who will uphold its core values and traditions,” Robinson said. “Marianne has grown tremendously as an educator and administrator during her time in District 97. She has a deep understanding of core instructional practices, and we believe her expertise will be an asset as we work together to support the united programming needs of Lincoln, including our Spanish Immersion Program.”
Gamiño will be joining the district with more than 20 years in education, including as a teacher and teacher leader.
A graduate of DePaul University, Gamiño holds a bachelor of art’s degree in education as well as a master of arts degree in educational leadership from American College of Education in Indiana.
He was serving as an English teacher at Mechinas Ner Naftali High School in Lincolnwood after working for over two decades in Chicago Public Schools, where he was a social studies teacher and served as department chair.
Gamiño has also served in leadership roles that include evening school/credit recovery coordinator, and has participated in “various school-wide initiatives” to support students and “foster an inclusive school culture,” district officials said.
“José will make a great addition to our Jayhawk family and D97 middle school team,” said Luis Fernando De León, assistant superintendent of middle schools.
“He brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and deep commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment for all students,” he added. “We are thrilled to welcome him, and we look forward to the impact he will make on our school culture, climate, and community.”
