Dr. Antwan Babakhani was hired by the Board of Education as the next principal of Maine South High School District 207 following an extensive search process.
“Antwan impressed the interview teams with his comprehensive understanding of educational leadership, collaborative mindset, and deep commitment to supporting and empowering students,” says incoming superintendent Dr. Tatiana Bonuma. “We are excited to welcome Antwan and look forward to the future as he embarks on this journey to promote student success at Maine South.”
There were 42 applicants for the position and Dr. Babakhani participated in four rounds of interviews that included students, parents, teachers, support staff, school administrators and district administrators, including Dr. Bonuma.
In order to find the ideal candidate, District 207 held focus groups with teachers, support staff, 10-month administrators, 12-month administrators, parents and students. In addition, a survey was conducted that invited stakeholders to provide feedback on the type of leader that would be successful in the role. From that feedback, a principal profile was created to help find candidates that best matched the qualities that stakeholders ranked highest.
Dr. Babakhani currently serves as Assistant Principal of Student Services at Niles West High School that has an enrollment of approximately 2,500. In his time in that role since 2013, he has led the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support to ensure students are supported. Additionally, he oversaw course placement procedures, co-led the instructional leadership team and served as the community liaison with the middle schools to ensure a smooth transition for students to high school.
Prior to his current role, he served as Dean of Students for one year at Niles West. From 2009-2011, Dr. Babakhani was the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Amundsen High School in Chicago Public Schools. During his career he has also served as a high school English teacher and reading specialist. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University.
“I am honored and thrilled to serve as the new principal of Maine South High School,” says Dr. Babakhani “It is a privilege to join this vibrant community of students, educators, and staff known for its commitment to excellence in education, inclusivity, and fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive. Maine South High School has a distinguished history of academic achievement, extracurricular success, and community engagement. I am deeply committed to building on this legacy by working collaboratively with our talented faculty, dedicated parents, and the wider community to ensure our students achieve their fullest potential and have an amazing experience in high school. Go Hawks!”
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in English Education – Secondary. He has a master’s degree in reading from Concordia University. He earned his doctorate degree in educational leadership from Concordia University.