South Chester Today

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District issued the following announcement on Aug. 9.

UCFSD Announces New Hillendale Elementary School Principal

East Marlborough Township – The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Joshua Leight as the new Hillendale Elementary School Principal.

The Board approved Mr. Leight at the August 9th School Board Work Session.  

Mr. Leight is currently the principal of Pennell Elementary School in the Penn-Delco School District. Prior to becoming a principal in 2018, Leight was a 4th grade teacher at Parkside Elementary School and he also taught for one year at Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia.   

Leight is an experienced educational leader who is passionate about providing high-quality learning opportunities for all. He places an emphasis on social-emotional learning and has a successful track record of innovating with technology in school. He is an Inclusive advocate for complex learners and children of all abilities. As a leader he focuses on making school a place of joy and wellness for all - determined to always make the choice that is best for children.   

UCFSD leaders met with Hillendale parents, teachers, and staff as part of focus groups to highlight the desired qualities of a new school leader. The search for the Hillendale principal began with a pool of over 40 applicants that included both strong internal and external candidates. The field was narrowed through an intensive and thorough interview process. Each candidate met with faculty, staff, parents, administrators, and Board members in a series of four interviews. The comprehensive process helped identify who would be the best fit as the next Hillendale principal.  In the end, Mr. Leight was the clear choice. 

His official start date will be on or around August 23, 2021. Interim Principal Mr. John Nolen will continue in his role until Mr. Leight is able to join the District. Mr. Leight lives in Media, PA with his wife and two-year old son. 

“I feel blessed and honored to lead as Hillendale Elementary’s next principal,” stated Leight. “I am thrilled to have the privilege to continue the great work that Principal Audevard and the entire team at Hillendale has done to create a rigorous academic program and to foster social-emotional growth and inclusivity for all. I cannot wait to meet all the children, staff, and families at Happy Hillendale.”

Original source can be found here.