At their meeting February 23, 2026, the Board of Education named two new members of the administrative team for the 2026-27 school year.
The creation of the Directors positions is a part of the administrative restructuring recommended by Superintendent-elect Mr. Kenndell Smith. The Board expressed their enthusiastic support for the new organization structure and are looking forward to the contributions of these outstanding administrators.
Director of Student Services: Ms. Nicole Keefer
Ms. Keefer will bring her experience in working with special education students to Burr Ridge after currently serving as the Director of Specialized Services, (Prairie Hills Elementary School District 144)
Ms. Keefer brings more than 12 years of experience in special education, including seven years in special education administrative leadership roles as a Director of Student Services, Special Education Program Supervisor, Special Education Case Manager, and special education teacher. She possesses extensive knowledge of special education law and compliance and is deeply committed to ensuring equitable access to grade-level curriculum for all students.
In addition to her administrative expertise, Ms. Keefer is a strong instructional leader who builds staff capacity through professional development, PLC engagement, collaborative planning, one-on-one coaching and mentoring, and direct classroom modeling. Her experience spans nearly the full continuum of special education services, including inclusion, co-teaching, self-contained, and therapeutic settings.
Director of Teaching and Learning: Ms. Tameka Coffie
Ms. Coffie will be serving the district as the Director of Teaching and Learning. Ms. Coffie brings a breadth of instructional and leadership experience, having served as a principal, assistant principal, curriculum developer, academic dean, instructional coach, and classroom teacher.
In her current role as a building principal at Nob Hill Elementary School, she led her school’s improvement from a Comprehensive to a Commendable designation in her first academic year and has consistently achieved the highest academic growth among schools in her district.
Central to Ms. Coffie’s success has been her leadership in professional development and instructional improvement. She has designed and facilitated districtwide professional learning experiences focused on instructional alignment,
data-informed practices, and continuous improvement.
Ms. Coffie believes in innovative teacher professional learning cycles, including “chew-n-chats” and “mix-n-mingles,” which promote peer observation, collaboration, and reflective feedback on effective instructional practices.
Prior to the end of the school year, both of these new Directors will be working to learn more about our schools and community. Please join the Board in welcoming these two new outstanding leaders.