Superintendent Dr. Jeff Craig and West Aurora School Board of Education District 29 recently announced the appointment of two new administrators for the 2021-2022 school year. The appointments were approved during the July 12 regular Board meeting.
• The first appointment is Patrick Eschman, who will serve as dean of students at West Aurora High School. For the past five years, Eschman has worked as a self-contained teacher in the Special Education Department at West Aurora High School. In that role, he developed and delivered lesson plans centered on social studies education and social emotional learning. Additional responsibilities included the oversight of individualized educational plans for students with emotional disorders, autism, and other health impairments. Since 2017, Eschman has been involved in student activities at West Aurora High School through his work in sponsoring student council.
Prior to coming to West Aurora, Eschman worked at Amelia V. Carriel Junior. High School in O’Fallon, Illinois. There, he taught self-contained classes and oversaw the District’s emotional disorders program at the junior high level. Eschman began his educational career in Belleville Township District 201, having served as both a substitute teacher and a paraprofessional.
Eschman holds a bachelor of arts in secondary history education from Eastern Illinois University, a master of science in teaching and learning from the University of St. Francis, and a master of education in educational leadership from the American College of Education.
“I am excited about my new role at West Aurora High School and being able to continue working with the amazing students and staff there,” said Eschman. “I look forward to serving, supporting, and growing alongside the Blackhawk community and continuing the traditions that make West Best. Go Blackhawks!”
• The second appointment is David P. Sally, who will assume the role of assistant principal for student services at West Aurora High School. For the past five years, Sally has served the staff and students at West Aurora High School as dean of students and more recently, assistant athletic director. As assistant athletic director, Sally developed athletic schedules, oversaw eligibility for athletes, and evaluated teachers. As dean of students, Sally was responsible for managing the high school’s security guards and for leading a student services support team focused on developing academic and behavior interventions.
Sally began his educational career at Lisle Senior High School, where he was an English teacher as well as football and basketball coach. His leadership responsibilities included serving on the discipline committee whose role it was to analyze the practices and procedures in the student handbook.
Sally holds a bachelor of arts in secondary English education from Augustana College and a master of arts in educational leadership from Concordia University Chicago.
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve as an assistant principal of student services at West Aurora High School,” said Sally. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years in this building and look forward to continuing my work with staff and students in this new role.”
—West Aurora School District 129