Bloom 206 Bids Farewell To Two Administrators

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — District 206 bids farewell as two leaders step out of their roles at the close of this school year.

Bloom Principal Kenyatta Starks, EdD, is transitioning out of her role. Dr. Starks has been a principal for more than 15 years and said her experience serving the students and community at Bloom High School was deeply meaningful to her.

“I have appreciated my time at Bloom,” Starks said. “The work has been deeply rewarding to me. I am a kid-centered principal. What I expect from the kids, I give to the kids. The staff and students at Bloom have been phenomenal. Even though we've been in a pandemic, I would never choose a different school community. I will miss the students and all of my colleagues at the district, and I plan to stay connected.”

Starks was particularly appreciative of Bloom 206 Superintendent Lenell Navarre. “Dr. Navarre has been a guiding light for me,” she said. “His leadership has been great. During my time here we've worked to develop tight-knit relationships with families and truly give students a voice.”
Starks is transitioning into a new venture, launching an education consulting firm. Starks says her work will be geared toward district improvement and turnaround, providing education leaders with a unique strategic lens and perspective.

Also transitioning is Bloom Trail Associate Principal Timothy Craddock, EdD, who is stepping into the principal role at Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts. Craddock has served for eight years as an administrator, both as an assistant and associate principal, during his tenure with the district.

“I have definitely grown as a leader both instructionally and operationally. I have fostered relationships that I feel will be lifelong. It has been a great experience that has prepared me for my next leadership experience,” Craddock said. “When we say that District 206 is a family, it truly is. I have experienced some catastrophic events in my personal life and the District 206 family has supported me through them.”

Navarre said he wishes the two longtime educators the best. “Kenyatta and Tim have both served the district well,” Navarre said. “The pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for all school districts and I appreciate the ways they have helped design an educational experience that gives the students what they need and maintains the Bloom 206 community. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for them.”

Stepping into the role of assistant principal at Bloom Trail is Timel Moore, who has previously served the school as the Dean of Students and served District 206 as a whole as an assistant coach for the Blazing Trojans varsity boys basketball team.