New principal hired for The Lane School in Hinsdale

Casey James Godfrey

Updated: June 4, 2012 11:05AM

A Missouri elementary school principal has been hired to lead The Lane School, effective July 1.

The Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Board unanimously approved the hiring of Casey James Godfrey Monday at a special meeting.

Godfrey will replace Doug Eccarius, who is taking over as District 181’s executive director of human resources.

Godfrey has worked in education for 11 years, including seven as an principal. For the past three years, he has been principal of Fairmount Elementary School in St. Charles, Mo. Fairmount’s 900 students makes it one of the largest elementary schools in Missouri.

While Godfrey will be new to District 181, he is not a stranger to Superintendent Renee Schuster, who worked with him for one year in Missouri.

“He is an excellent principal who knows each student by name, promotes a positive learning environment, and strives to improve student learning,” Schuster said. “When we considered 71 applicants for the position, we used different committees for the finalists’ interviews, and the process had three levels. Mr. Godfrey was the leading candidate at all levels in the process.”

Godfrey began his career in education as a fourth-grade teacher He also taught fourth- and fifth-grade during one his two-year stints as a principal.

His core beliefs include establishing and maintaining a positive school climate, welcoming parent and community involvement, establishing high expectations, and increasing student achievement through the use of data and supported by technology, according to a District 181 release.

During his time at Fairmount, his leadership and parent involvement team were recognized with a Promising Practice Award from Johns Hopkins University. Another school he worked at was recognized as a Missouri Top Ten performing school in communication arts and math.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to join The Lane School family,” Godfrey said. “The numerous noteworthy accomplishments of The Lane School community have set the bar high; however I am confident, by fostering a positive school climate as well as maintaining high expectations for student learning and engagement we will collaboratively continue to move the Lane School forward.”

Godfrey has a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He is working on a doctorate degree.

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