Elmhurst District 205 Board of Education Appoints Larry Joynt as Next Principal of Edison Elementary School
– Bringing 13 years of diverse experience in elementary education –
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Larry Joynt as the new principal of Edison Elementary School, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
Following the retirement announcement of the Principal Jim Pluskota, District 205 administration began the process to find the next leader of Edison Elementary School. The rigorous multi-stepped search began with a guiding mission to identify a strong leader that would continue the strong student growth and success that Edison has seen under Mr. Pluskota’s leadership.
District 205 received 54 resumes from candidates that were then narrowed down to six semi-finalist, all with their own unique strengths and characteristics. The six candidates were invited to attend an in-person interview, with a panel that included multiple district and building leaders across departments and schools. All in-person candidates presented a 10-minute data presentation before engaging in a standard questioning interview session.
Following the rigorous first rounds of in-person interviews, three candidates were chosen to continue in the process and be a part of an extensive third-round interview at Edison Elementary School that included parents, board members, administrators, and Edison staff.
At the conclusion of the final interview, it was evident that there were three highly qualified candidates, each bringing their own unique strengths and qualifications. After thoughtful consideration and discussion, there was a clear consensus around Mr. Joynt as the right choice to lead Edison Elementary School. By the end of the interview process, he demonstrated that his skills best align with the needs of the Edison community. Additionally, through the robust interview process and conversations with his references, it became clear that his experiences, personality, and proven track record make him an excellent fit for the community.
Mr. Joynt brings a wealth of leadership experience in elementary education, most recently serving as Assistant Principal at Skokie School in Winnetka District 36, where he has played a key role in advancing social-emotional learning, literacy initiatives, and professional learning communities. His experience also includes serving as Principal on Special Assignment at Crow Island Elementary, where he successfully led school operations during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are thrilled to welcome Larry Joynt to Edison Elementary,” said Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent of District 205. “Throughout the interview process, Larry stood out as a clear fit for the Edison community, demonstrating a deep commitment to student-centered learning, innovative instructional practices, and building strong school connections. His passion and leadership make him an outstanding choice to support our students, staff, and families, and we are confident that he will continue the strong student growth that Edison has seen in recent years.”
Throughout his career, Mr. Joynt has championed initiatives that enhance both academic and social-emotional development. He led the implementation of a Structured Learning Environment (SLE) classroom, helped redesign intervention models to provide targeted student support, and facilitated the introduction of Project-Based Learning (PBL) experiences. Larry was also honored as a recipient of the 2024 It Takes a Village Award from Everyone Reading Illinois. His expertise in Adaptive Schools facilitation, data-driven decision-making, and relational discipline strategies will be invaluable to the Edison Elementary community.
“I am honored to join the Edison Elementary community and excited to collaborate with students, staff, and families to build upon the school’s strong foundation and rich traditions,” said Joynt. “Together, we will continue to cultivate a dynamic learning environment where all students and staff feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to achieve their best.”
Joynt holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Governors State University.
District 205 looks forward to welcoming Mr. Joynt as he begins his leadership at Edison Elementary. A meet-and-greet event will be scheduled later this spring to introduce him to the school community.
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