The McHenry Community High School District 156 board of education on Tuesday approved the appointment of Sean Sterner, social science division chair and summer school principal, as Freshman Campus assistant principal, starting with the 2025-26 school year.
Sterner, a McHenry High School social science teacher since 2008, will take over from Freshman Campus Assistant Principal Terry Fitzgibbons, who is retiring at the end of the current (2024-25) school year.
“Sean’s curricular, operational, and overall leadership experience make him the perfect candidate to join the Freshman Campus building leadership team,” said Dr. Ryan McTague, District 156 superintendent.
Sterner joins Principal Greg Eiserman in leading the Freshman Campus, formerly known as East Campus. Serving about 550 students with a motto of “Start with Success,” the Freshman Campus offers a comprehensive program to transition students to high school.
McTague credits Sterner, who was the first designated summer school principal for MCHS, with growing the summer school program to be like a third semester of the school year, serving about 700 students annually. Summer school offers get-ahead courses as well as credit recovery.
Sterner said he’s looking forward to working with Eiserman, and that he considers Eiserman and Fitzgibbons to be mentors. Continuing their great work at Freshman Campus is a priority, Sterner said.
“There’s a lot of positivity there. I think everyone feels valued, especially students. I just want to continue that,” Sterner said. “Student learning and student success – that’s what it’s all about.”
Sterner grew up in Arlington Heights and graduated from Rolling Meadows High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in social science education from Illinois State University, a master’s in teacher leadership, and another in principal preparation, both from Concordia College. Sterner also has an endorsement in English as a Second Language from Concordia.
Sterner taught at Waukegan High School for a year before coming to McHenry. He and his wife have two children and live in Crystal Lake. In addition to teaching, Sterner was formerly an assistant baseball coach and has been the head girls golf coach since 2012. He’s also been overseeing the Leadership in Action course for upperclassmen for the last two years.