In the News

All community members and teachers are welcome and encouraged to attend the Community Input Sessions for the two finalists for the position of Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Pupil Services. The sessions will be held on Monday, August 27 (David DeGuire) and Tuesday, August 28 (Tabia Nicholas) from 5-6 p.m. in the SIS Library. One finalist will attend each evening. During the hour-long sessions, the community will learn about the candidate's background, listen to a discussion and then participate in an open question and answer period. All parents, staff and community members are encouraged to attend.

The Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Pupil Services (formerly know as the Director of Curriculum) is responsible for all aspects of curriculum development, instructional practices, professional learning, assessment, use of instructional technology and pupil services functions. This position will also support Shorewood Schools in meeting new state mandates and in using data to support student growth and achievement.

The Candidates:

Mr. David DeGuire
Mr. DeGuire is currently the principal at Columbus Middle School in Columbus, WI which is near Madison. He has been in this role since 2009, Before becoming the middle school principal he served as the district’s Director of Instruction and Technology from 1999 to 2010. Prior to joining Columbus schools, Mr. Deguire was Technology Coordinator for CESA 5, the regional Cooperative Educational Service Agency during the 1998-99 school year. He also served as the Technology Coordinator for the Lyncourt & Solvay Unified School District in Syracuse New York where he was also a fourth grade teacher.

Mr. Deguire received his Bachelor of Arts degree in German, Psychology, and Secondary Education from Marquette University in 1989. He completed a Masters degree at Syracuse University in 1991 and continued at Syracuse University to receive an Educational Specialist degree in 2000.

What impressed the interview panels are Mr. Deguire’s curriculum and instruction experience and his strength in the implementation of instructional technology.

Mr. DeGuire will meet Shorewood teachers and the community on Monday, August 27 from 5-6 p.m. in the Shorewood Intermediate School Library.

Dr. Tabia Nicholas
Dr. Nicholas currently serves Waukesha Schools as the Director of Instruction – High Schools. She has been in this role since February. In this role she provides curriculum and instruction support for five diverse high schools. She works directly with principals and teachers to provide professional learning opportunities to improve student achievement. Before joining Waukesha Schools, Dr. Nicholas was a middle school principal at Thomas Jefferson and later North Middle Schools both in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She served as a middle school principal from 2005 to 2012. Prior to that, she served as an associate principal at Menomonee Falls High School. She taught 8th grade math and science for Milwaukee Public Schools from 1996 to 2001.

Dr. Nicholas received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania where she majored in secondary education and French. She also studied French and French culture at the University of Paris Sorbonne as part of her undergraduate education. Dr. Nicholas received her Master of Arts in Middle School Teaching from Alverno College in Milwaukee in 1998. In 2006, Dr. Nicholas completed her Doctorate in Education at Nova Southeastern University in Fort, Lauderdale, Florida.

What impressed the interview panels are Dr. Nicholas’s passion for education and children and her proven experience in closing achievement gaps between higher and lower performing students.

Dr. Nicholas will meet Shorewood teachers and the community on Tuesday, August 28 from 5-6 p.m. in the Shorewood Intermediate School Library.