Dupage Policy Journal

Board appoints Tracey Ratner to Indian Trail School principal position

The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Tracey Ratner to the Indian Trail School principal position during a Board meeting on Monday, March 14. Ratner will begin work in July 2022.

“I am very happy to recommend Mrs. Tracey Ratner to the Indian Trail School principal position,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “The interview teams described Mrs. Ratner as student-centered, supportive, outgoing, a strong leader, experienced, collaborative and knowledgeable." 

Dr. Russell added that District 58 received a significant amount of interest in this position from many highly-qualified candidates. The interview process comprised rounds of team interviews with staff, parents and administrators. The interview teams sought to identify a dynamic principal candidate who best fit the unique needs of the Indian Trail community.

“We asked Indian Trail families and staff to complete a survey identifying the characteristics they most desired in their new principal, and we used this feedback to inform our hiring decision,” Dr. Russell said. 

Ratner currently serves as the principal of Longwood Elementary School, a Title I school in Indian Prairie School District 204. During her seven years as Longwood’s principal, she implemented new instructional roles, increased parent involvement and student growth scores, and transformed schoolwide behavior interventions at the Tier I, II and III levels. Previously, Ratner served as a student services coordinator/assistant principal at Longwood Elementary; as an enrichment teacher in Champaign Unit 4 School District; as a third grade teacher and gifted math teacher/coordinator in Northbrook School District 28; and as a fourth grade teacher in Kildeer Countryside District 96. 

Ratner earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master’s degree in Gifted Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also earned a Learning Behavior Specialist (Special Education and Teaching) endorsement from Lewis University.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve as principal of Indian Trail School,” Ratner said. “I look forward to meeting Indian Trail students, as well as collaborating with families and staff in support of our students!”

Ratner resides in Naperville with her husband, three sons and dog.

For more information about Tracey Ratner, please contact Megan Hewitt, community relations coordinator, at mhewitt@dg58.org or 630-719-5805.

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Megan Hewitt