Harriet Gifford

Elementary School

Home of the Bears!

2023 State of Illinois Commendable School

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      Here at Harriet Gifford, we strive to foster a community where students, parents, teachers and other staff members can learn, care and grow together.

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      • April 15, 2025

        Dear Harriet Gifford Elementary School Parents/Guardians,

        We are pleased to announce that Ms. Lamie Cedillo has been selected as the new principal of Harriet Gifford Elementary School, pending Board approval. Ms. Cedillo, who will lead the school starting with the 2025-26 school year, brings nearly 20 years of educational experience, including in School District U-46, where she completed her student teaching. 

        Ms. Cedillo is passionate about facilitating growth in students and staff through collaboration and the development of positive relationships. She is known for her problem-solving skills in meeting individual students’ academic and behavior needs, as well as meeting the social-emotional needs of a school’s entire student body. 

        For the last seven years, Ms. Cedillo has worked in DeKalb Community Unit School District 428, first as a bilingual teaching interventionist and then since 2020 as an assistant principal at Founders Elementary School. In that role, she oversees the before- and after-lunch and recess processes and procedures, the scheduling and coordinating of paraprofessionals, safety monitors and daily substitutes, and manages the building facility usage. She also responds to behavior and discipline issues, providing restorative interventions, and oversees the school’s professional learning opportunities for staff. She has served as interim principal at Founders for extended periods while the principal was on leave. 

        Before joining DeKalb CUSD 428, Ms. Cedillo worked for about 10 years in U-46, serving as a Dual Language teacher for 1st, 2nd and 4th graders at Oakhill Elementary School. She also served as a SIP team member, PBIS coach, data dialogue coach and member of a curriculum writing committee for 4th grade instruction. Additional experience includes teaching a 4th grade bilingual classroom in West Aurora School District 129 and serving as an ELL history teacher at a middle school in Plainfield School District 202. 

        Ms. Cedillo earned her bachelor’s degree in bilingual elementary education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University-Chicago.

        Please join me in congratulating Ms. Cedillo on her new role leading Harriet Gifford Elementary School. 

        Sincerely,

         

        Sarah Rabe

        Executive Director, Larkin Network

        School District U-46

         
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