Meet The Principals

The Wescott Principal Team is excited to build a new year that will be filled with focus, fun and learning! This year's school theme is “We put the WE in Wescott!” Our incoming 5th-grade students worked hard on brainstorming and designing this motto that supports our Strategic Plan goal of cultivating a safe, positive and engaging climate of belonging in our school. They have invested time, thinking and talent into making this important for all. 

Mrs. Liz Webb and Mrs. Helena Vena are serving as Interim Co-Principals in 2025-26.

Mrs. Webb is returning Wescott School, after previously having served as an interim Assistant Principal in the 2021-22 academic year, and she joined the team again this past May as an administrative support. She offers 35 years of experience in the classroom and as a principal, mentor and coach. Mrs. Webb also previously worked for the education consulting firm Catalyst for Educational Change; this organization helped lead the creation of our District 30 Strategic Plan. 

Her passion is learning and she thrives being around dynamic staff and students. 

“I’ve been in several districts in Illinois and Wescott is one of my favorite places because the students are here to learn, the staff inspires the students, and the community is extraordinary in their support for all," she says.

Mrs. Helena Vena joins Wescott for 2025-26 with 34 years of experience in education, split evenly between classroom teaching and school administration. She began her career as an 8th-grade language arts and math teacher before moving into leadership roles in Marquardt District 15 and most recently in Glenview District 34, where she was a principal for 12 years before retiring in 2022. 

Since then, she has embraced two interim leadership positions and is excited to continue that work alongside Mrs. Webb and new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Katie Petersen. 

“I love being part of a vibrant school community and am truly honored to be joining Wescott, a school known for its commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence" she says. "I can’t wait to partner with students, staff and families to support a successful, rewarding school year for all and to help grow all the wonderful things already happening at Wescott!” 

Mrs. Katie Petersen is transitioning into the Assistant Principal role and has already added so much value to the Wescott team as an administrator. Mrs. Petersen has worked in District 30 since 2008, spending 15 of those years as a Learning Behavior Specialist at Wescott and two years as the district’s Student Service Coordinator. She values the collaborative relationships she has developed over her time in District 30 and is looking forward to expanding those relationships to include more of the Wescott community this year. 

“Wescott is a wonderful place with supportive families and dedicated staff. Most importantly, it’s full of caring children who are eager to learn," Mrs. Petersen says. "I’m looking forward to building upon our school’s many strengths to allow us to be a safe and nurturing environment where each of our students can progress academically and socially.” 

Mrs. Liz Webb
lwebb@district30.org

Mrs. Helena Vena
hvena@district30.org

Mrs. Katie Petersen
kpetersen@district30.org