Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School has announced the appointment of James Mitchem Jr. as interim principal for the 2021-22 school year. Mitchem comes to H-F with nearly 40 years of experience in education.
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School has announced the appointment of James Mitchem Jr. as interim principal for the 2021-22 school year.
Mitchem comes to H-F with nearly 40 years of experience in education. Before his retirement in 2020, he was superintendent for nine years at Valley View Consolidated Unit School District 365 serving the Bolingbrook/Romeoville area.
H-F’s previous principal, Jerry Lee Anderson, resigned in June to accept a principal position at Bloom Township High School. The District 233 school board will be conducting a search for a full-time principal.
“Dr. Mitchem brings a wide breadth of experience to H-F, having served in many roles during his extensive career in education,” said Von Mansfield, District 233 superintendent. “We are fortunate to have someone who is student-centered and who will be working diligently with staff this school year to provide the best teaching and learning opportunities at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.”
Mitchem has held various positions from teacher to dean of students before moving into school administration. He was principal at three different schools: Bolingbrook High School, Romeoville High School, and B.J. Ward Middle School in Bolingbrook. He has also worked as an assistant principal and a dean of students.
Mitchem started his career as a physical education teacher in Romeoville. He also was director of athletic academic advising at DePaul University.
He received a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in educational leadership and a Type 75 school administrative license from DePaul University. He received an Ed.D degree in educational leadership from Argosy University.
“We are excited to have Dr. Mitchem bring his wealth of high school and leadership experience to Homewood-Flossmoor to help us continue the tradition of excellence that our district has enjoyed,” said Scott Wakeley, District 233’s superintendent-elect.
All three administrators will be available to meet with the community at Flossmoor Park, 2523 Flossmoor Road, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, at a meet-and-greet event sponsored by Flossmoor School District 161.