By Crystal Hayduk
[This is the first article introducing new administrators in the Chelsea School District.]
Chelsea School District’s secondary students are seeing familiar faces in new places this school year.
Andrea Franco
The district announced Andrea Franco’s move to assistant principal at Chelsea High School (CHS)—an appointment by Superintendent Mike Kapolka—on its social media accounts on Aug. 18, immediately following their announcement of Dr. Luman Strong’s retirement.
Strong had given 30 years to the district, serving in every school building in the roles of teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator. “With the sudden retirement of Dr. Strong as our assistant principal, we wanted to ensure that we were able to have an experienced administrator step into his shoes,” said Dr. Nick Angel, CHS principal.
With Franco’s role as assistant principal at Beach Middle School (BMS) for the last two years, she had already developed relationships with the students and their families that will prove helpful during this transition, said Angel.
Franco earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in secondary education in English and Spanish. She received her master’s degree in English as a second language/English language learners (ESL/ELL) from Western Governor’s University. In 2021, she completed her administrative certificate through Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).
Franco taught English, Spanish, and ESL in Kalamazoo and then California, where she also gained five years of administrative experience. She returned home to Michigan, taught ESL at Eastern Michigan University, and then joined the faculty in Chelsea.
In addition to her administrative duties, Franco serves as the district’s English learner and equity coordinator.
Franco’s 15 years working with middle and high school students will serve her well in her new role. She’s provided support in each of the district’s buildings, has led the student services team, and has been trained in restorative practices (an approach to discipline and behavior management).
During her time in Chelsea, Franco has been influenced by a long list of administrators, including Marcus Kaemming, Lisa Nickel, Mike Kapolka, Matt Ceo, Nick Angel, Stacie Battaglia, and Luman Strong. But growing up, her father was her inspiration as she developed into who she is today. “My dad was an educator for 30 years …. He showed me through the example he set in his classroom that there is a space for everyone to belong and unique talents they can contribute to the world.”
Although Franco misses the staff and students at BMS, her latest goals include “… connecting with and supporting students and staff, as well as providing more opportunities for student voice to be heard.”
Franco said she is grateful for the professional growth opportunities in Chelsea as staff and students live the district’s theme of “Forward Together.”
Angel said, “Andrea has hit the ground running and the CHS team is lucky to have her.”
Adam Schilt
With Franco’s move to CHS, several district employees vied for the assistant principal opening at BMS. CHS English teacher Adam Schilt was the winner, announced by the district on Aug. 25.
BMS Principal Matt Ceo said he always knew Schilt as “… intelligent, articulate, and a leader among his peers.” Through the interview and selection process, he also learned that his new assistant principal is a gifted listener, who considers others’ points of view, asks important questions, and seeks to understand.
“As an administrator, you have to do far more listening than speaking, and Adam already has that skill set,” he said.
Schilt said he sought the new role because educational leadership provides an opportunity to expand his influence and use his strengths to a greater extent in service to students, staff, and families. Thanks to his background as a student attending public schools and as a teacher with 10 years of classroom experience, he said, “I know the value and the impact that our schools have on the lives of our community’s kids.”
A college English major, Schilt earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from the University of Kentucky. He moved to Michigan where he simultaneously taught in the Detroit Public School system (as part of Teach for America) while taking classes in educational studies at the University of Michigan to earn his master’s degree.
He has taught English and related courses in the English department at CHS since 2016.
Schilt’s multiple leadership roles will help him to successfully transition from teacher to assistant principal. His experience advising student council and the CHS newspaper, “The Bleu Print,” helped him to foster leadership potential in students. He also gained a broad perspective of education policy and the role of public education in students’ lives when he held a summer internship in 2016 in Nashville with the city government and the Nashville Public Education Foundation.
“In addition, in my roles as Chelsea Education Association president and as a content methods seminar facilitator at the University of Michigan, I’ve had the chance to cultivate positive relationships with fellow educators and sharpen my instructional leadership,” said Schilt.
When Schilt was hired in Chelsea, English teacher John Zainea was his mentor. Zainea has a reputation as a teacher with high expectations who is also intelligent, patient, and kind, with a calm approach in response to difficult situations. “I hope to bring much of what I learned from [Mr. Zainea] into my role as a building leader,” he said.
Schilt considers the English department at CHS as family, so he will miss the daily sharing and encouragement among “… these world-class educators.”
But he hopes to bring the love and passion he had for teaching at CHS to his new role at BMS, as he looks forward to being a part of every student’s day. “Whether it’s a fist bump in the hallway, a terrible pun on the morning announcements, a game at recess, or even a difficult conversation, the opportunity to help every student take something positive away from the day is what I consider to be the best part of the job,” said Schilt.
Schilt said he is both excited and humbled to serve Chelsea as the BMS assistant principal.
And Ceo is thrilled to have added Schilt to his administrative staff as they continue the important work at “The Beach.”
