2023_11heritage

New Principal at Heritage

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ISD 197 announced that Heidi Koury will be the new principal at Heritage E-STEM Magnet School.

Local roots: “Our family has a long history of attending School District 197 schools,” Koury said. “I graduated from Henry Sibley, and all three of my children attended or attend Heritage. I love the Heritage community, and I am very excited to be part of the team. Accepting this role feels like coming home.”

Background: Koury served as the principal of Cherokee Heights Elementary School in St. Paul for the past five years. She also served as dean of students at Burnsville High School and as an instructional coach and teacher at Maxfield Elementary in St. Paul.

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Goals: “I want to help make Heritage a school where students can succeed academically but also where they feel they belong and can be their authentic selves.” Koury said. “As a school, we cannot do what we do without partnerships with families. Families are students’ first teachers, and we all need to work together to ensure students’ success.”

Process: The interview team included Heritage staff, district staff, students, and families. Koury was selected for “her exceptional ability to create a positive school climate and culture, strong communication skills, dedication to community engagement and equity work, and reputation as a collaborative, compassionate, and courageous leader,” according to an email announcement from the district. The ISD 197 School Board approved the hire earlier this week at a special meeting. Koury will officially begin her new role on July 23, 2024.

Previous principal: Former Heritage Principal Karen Allen resigned in June after a leave of absence at the end of the school year.

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