Published January 31, 2023

Rolling Meadows principal Eileen Hart was selected as Principal of the Year by the North Cook Region of the Illinois Principals Association.

The annual Horace Mann/IPA High School Principal of the Year Awards recognize outstanding high school administrators who provide high quality learning opportunities for students. The judges recognized Hart for her “commitment to excellence as an educational leader and her constant focus on putting the needs of students first.

Said Hart, “I feel tremendous gratitude to be an educator in District 214 and principal at Rolling Meadows High School. I have the great fortune to work with dedicated professionals who care deeply for the student body, the families in our community, and for one other as colleagues.”

She said, “This recognition is a testament to the collaborative and incredible work of our Mustang school community, where I could not be more proud or humbled to serve as principal.”

This is the second time Hart has received the North Cook Principal of the Year award; she was also recognized in 2017. She will be honored at a March 3 event, and also be eligible for the 2023 statewide Principal of the Year competition.

Hart has had a long and impressive career with District 214. She has served as RMHS principal since the 2011-12 school year. Prior to that, she was a social studies teacher and division head at Wheeling High School for 17 years. Her District 214 career started in 1989 as a special education assistant.

Hart also was the 2021 recipient of the North Cook Region’s Herman Graves Award, which the IPA calls the highest honor it bestows. It recognizes outstanding service to the principals’ organization.