Name: Erin Kornoely
School: Byron Center Public Schools Marshall Elementary
What will be your first priorities as principal be?
I am excited to start building relationships with the staff at Marshall Elementary. I also can’t wait to meet and get to know all the students and parents at Marshall. Byron Center is an amazing place to work and I want to continue to build on the great reputation the district already has.
What are you most looking forward to as principal here?
Number 1: to get to know all the kids at Marshall and be able to have a front-row seat to all the learning and growing they are doing throughout the year. Number 2: to meet all the families of Marshall. I have consistently heard how supportive the parents of Marshall Elementary are and I am excited to be able to be a part of that supportive network.
What and where was your previous job?
I was a classroom teacher for Caledonia Community Schools for 11 years.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I enjoy reading, playing games with my children, camping and relaxing outside.
What makes you laugh?
A lot of things make me laugh! Relationships. I love kidding around with people. We have a great staff at Byron Center and we kid each other a lot. I like to think I have a very good sense of humor and laugh often here. Good friends.
Tell me about a non-professional book you recommend and why.
To Kill a Mockingbird. This will forever be my favorite book to read. Atticus Finch is a man of high character who has strong beliefs, but yet doesn’t alienate people. Also, Scout is a reminder to always focus on right and wrong, but also to not take life too seriously and provide some comedy relief every now and then.
What inspires you?
On a professional level, watching kids work really hard to learn a new skill and then being able to see them be successful with that skill. Seeing their joy when all their hard work pays off. On a personal level, I love to read books that inspire me to try to things and take risks. Also, my husband has always been 100 percent supportive when I want to try something new and knowing I always have his support inspires me to continue to always move forward in life.
What college degrees did you earn?
Bachelor of Education from Michigan State University, masters in reading/language arts from Grand Valley State University, and also took masters-level classes to earn my school administrator certificate at GVSU.
What other positions you have held in education?
- Kindergarten teacher, Emmons Lake Elementary, Caledonia
- Reading teacher, Emmons Lake Elementary, Caledonia
- Fifth-grade teacher, Emmons Lake Elementary, Caledonia
- Fifth-grade teacher, Southwood Elementary, Kentwood
- Fifth-Grade teacher, East Elementary, Coopersville
Spouse and children?
Husband, Jason, a teacher for Forest Hills Public Schools; and daughters Eleanor 8; Sylvia 6; and Claire, 10 months old.
