As we begin the 2019-20 school year, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 is pleased to announce the following new positions in our administrative team:
Dr. Kari Karidis (Daugherty)/Principal Kreitner Elementary
Dr. Karidis is the new Principal of Kreitner Elementary School. She most recently served as principal of Hollywood Heights School and Assistant Principal of Collinsville High School.
She has a passion for promoting student learning in the best possible way for each student. In her spare time, Dr. Karidis enjoys watching soccer and hockey, cooking, exercising, camping and hiking. Dr. Karidis also promotes healthy lifestyles for teens and young adults through providing workshops to high school students on the topic of preventing substance abuse.
Dr. Karidis is from Edwardsville. She has Bachelors and Masters degrees from SIUE and earned an EdD in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University in 2007.
Her youngest son, Niko, is 21; her oldest son, Chas, who would turn 29 this year, inspired her passion for drug abuse awareness and education. In October, Dr. Karidis is getting married and will officially become Dr. Daugherty.
“I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence at Kreitner Elementary. I know I have some big shoes to fill, and I am up for the challenge because I know the Kreitner team is amazing and we will continue improving. I am excited to meet everyone and to be part of the Kreitner community!,” says Dr. Karidis.
Mr. Doug Kirk/Assistant Principal Dorris Intermediate School
Mr. Doug Kirk will be an Assistant Principal at Dorris Intermediate School. His position as the second assistant principal at DIS is new this year.
Originally from Benton, Illinois, Mr. Kirk has been in CUSD 10 for the past 13 years as a coach and 12 years as a teacher at Collinsville Middle School. He served as PE Department Chair at CMS for five years. He has coached basketball and baseball at Collinsville Middle School, and basketball at Collinsville High School
Mr. Kirk has a B.S. in Kinesiology, M.S. Special Education and Principal certification from SIUE.
His wife, Jenny, teaches science at Collinsville Middle School. They have 4 children: Ella-8, Easton-6, and twin boys Nate and Nolan-3. Mr. Kirk enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, reading and music.
Mr. Kirk’s favorite quote is: “Don’t ever underestimate the impact that you may have on someone else’s life.” – Anonymous
Ms. Tara Glynn/Special Education Supervisor/Principal Hollywood Heights
Ms. Glynn will serve as Special Education Supervisor and the Principal of Hollywood Heights School beginning this school year. In addition to her responsibilities with the students and staff at Hollywood Heights, she will assist the Director of Special Education in support of the district’s Special Ed program.
She started teaching Special Education at Collinsville High School in 2007. She was a co-teacher, primarily in the CHS Math Department, for 4 years and then served as the CHS Life Skills Teacher for 3 years.
Since 2014, Ms. Glynn has been the CHS IEP Coordinator. She has a Bachelors in Special Education from SIUE, a Masters in Education from Lindenwood and completed her Type 75 Administrative Coursework at SIUE.
Ms. Glynn lives in Collinsville with her husband, a CHS Math Teacher, and their 3 daughters.
“I’m excited to start the year off in my new position. As the Special Education Supervisor I will be working with the community, staff, students and families to ensure all students are receiving the support they need to be successful. I will also be the principal at Hollywood Heights Alternative School. As a parent and educator in Collinsville I believe in what we do and am proud to be a Kahok,” says Glynn.
Ms. Stephanie Pulse/Principal Summit and Jefferson Elementary Schools
Ms. Pulse will serve as the Principal of Summit and Jefferson Elementary Schools.
She has been a teacher in CUSD 10 since 2007, most recently serving as a Special Education teacher at Summit Elementary. She graduated from SIUE with a Special Education degree and a Masters in Administration.
Ms. Pulse was born and raised in Columbia, IL, where she currently resides.
She enjoys volunteering for nonprofit organizations, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.
“I have developed a huge love for the families of Unit 10 in my 12 years in the district, gained many friends and received lots of family support. I’m still connected with some of my first students. I tell students after they leave me, “You are not my students for a school year, you are my students for life.” I always encourage them to reach out to me after they leave the school – where we became a family – in hopes they will keep in touch.
I am eagerly waiting the new families I get to meet in my new role as the principal at Jefferson and Summit Elementary Schools!
Ms. Geneka Gully/Assistant Principal Collinsville High School
Ms. Gully is a new Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School.
She is an East Saint Louis native who has dedicated the past 13 years of her life to helping students. She has a Bachelors in Special Education from MacMurray College and an Masters in Education Administration from Lindenwood University.
Ms. Gully spent the majority of her career in East Saint Louis School District as a Special Education Teacher and then Assistant Principal. Most recently, she was Academic Assistant Principal at Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL.
Her hobbies are reading, bike riding, home improvement and cooking. Geneka is excited about working with the students and staff at CHS. She looks forward to learning and building with the Collinsville Community.
She has this advice for students, “High school is all about doing what you have to do, so later you can do what you want to do with ease.”