Waukesha Director of Instruction Hired to Head Up Shorewood Curriculum Department

"It's been a long time since we have had a full-time director of curriculum and instruction," School Board member Michael Mishlove said Tuesday night.

Mishlove shared the sentiment before the School Board approved the hire of Tabia Nicholas to that role — a position that has been shared by several principals for years.

"This is something we've wanted for a long time," Mishlove added. "I'm glad that you're on board."

Nicholas will oversee all aspects of curriculum development, instructional practices, professional learning, assessment, use of instructional technology and pupil services functions.

She will also support the district in meeting new state mandates and using data to support student growth and achievement.

Nicholas holds a doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University in educational leadership and a masters degree from Alverno College in middle school teaching.

She most recently served as the director of instruction for high schools in the Waukesha School District, and before that was principal at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Menomonee Falls and assistant principal at Menomonee Falls High School. Additionally she has taught in Milwaukee Public Schools.

"Shorewood has a stellar reputation and I'm excited to soon be a part of the community," Nicholas said. "We'll do good things, and it will be fun."

She beat out David DeGuire, principal at Columbus Middle School in Columbus, WI, near Madison, for the position. allowing the public to weigh in on the candidates.

"This is a part of a process that included teachers, parents, two high school students, administrators and an assistant professor at UWM in instruction," Superintendent Martin Lexmond said.

The terms of Nicholas' contract with the district have yet to be negotiated; a preliminary budget, which hasn't been approved, called for a salary of $110,000 salary and $35,700 benefits package for the position.