Stratton, Edison, Jefferson land new administrators

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CHAMPAIGN — Three Unit 4 educators will switch schools next year after being hired for new administrative roles at a special meeting this week.

Jamal Maatuka is the new assistant principal at Stratton Academy, Sean Smith is the new associate principal for Edison Middle School and Taylor Foltz is the new athletic director and dean of students at Jefferson Middle School.

The board voted 6-0 at Wednesday’s meeting to approve the appointments, with only vice president Heather Vazquez absent.

“I am so excited to be in a new building and learn something new in Unit 4,” said Foltz, who will be taking on her first role as an administrator. “I’ve loved my time in the elementary buildings, and I’m looking forward to moving on to middle school and middle schoolers.”

Foltz began her career in education in 2009 as a teacher in Freeport before joining Unit 4 in 2017 at the kindergarten, first grade and second grade levels. She’s also coached volleyball at Centennial.

Going into the new school year, Foltz said she plans to prioritize bridging relationships between middle school and high school sports coaches, as many sports teams lose athletes in the transition.

“One of the big things we’re going to try and work on more is utilizing data and things at Jefferson to drive decisions in our instruction both academically and behaviorally,” Foltz said.

Smith began his career in education in 2017 as a special-education paraprofessional at Jefferson before he became a resource teacher in 2019 and then athletic director and dean of students at Edison in 2023.

Smith said his background as a paraprofessional gives him a unique perspective as he looks to support other staff in his new administrative position.

Some of his priorities as an associate principal in the 2024-25 school year include “working with students and families for different instructional practices, interventions for students, really wrapping around the culture and climate of the building, just making a positive impact, but also supporting all students and continuing inclusivity practices,” Smith said.

Maatuka became an educator in 2010 as a business teacher at Central High School after spending nearly 15 years as an entrepreneur in Champaign with operations like Black Thought Enterprises and Village Day Care. He became a dean at Centennial in 2023.

Maatuka and Smith will also join a team of summer school principals, said assistant superintendent for HR Ken Kleber.

As Maatuka was absent from the board meeting, Kleber read aloud a statement the new assistant principal had prepared.

“It is difficult to put into words the immense gratitude I feel for the past year I’ve spent at Centennial High School,” Maatuka wrote. “I’ve had the opportunity to learn from dedicated colleagues, passionate administrators, and most importantly, incredible leadership who have inspired me every day.

“I will carry the lessons I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve formed with me as I begin my new career.”