Diana Vergara

Blackhawk Middle School Principal

PH: 630-766-2601 ext. 2776
FX: 630-766-7612
Email: dvergara@bsd2.org 

Passion

I am honored and excited to join the Blackhawk Middle School community as Principal. I have over two decades of experience in education.  I have served as a teacher, coach, and - most recently - as an assistant principal in Chicago for the past seven years. As a newcomer to the United States from Colombia, I overcame significant barriers to success, inspired by the teachers and mentors who guided me along the way. My journey in education has been driven by an unwavering commitment to equity and excellence for every student.

My passion for education extends beyond the classroom walls. I am deeply committed to the power of community and collaboration, and I strive to foster a culture of openness and empathy. 
 
As a physical education teacher and coach, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how effort, discipline, teamwork, and communication contribute to achieving goals. These experiences have shaped my passion for educating the whole child. I believe it is essential for middle school students to learn to collaborate with others, monitor their own behavior, and make responsible decisions. I am confident that by building these social-emotional skills, we will see a positive impact on academic achievement. Together, we can ensure our students are prepared for college, career, and lifelong learning.

Education

• Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, Ed D
  National Louis University, Anticipated Spring 2025
   
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
  Chicago State University, Chicago, 2008
   
• Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
  University of Illinois at Chicago, 2000

Experience

• Blackhawk Middle School
  Principal (July 2024-current)
   
• James Shields Middle School
  Assistant Principal (May 2017-June 2024)
   
• James Shields Middle School
  Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director (August 2012-May 2016)
   
• James Shields Elementary School
  Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director (August 2000-August 2012)
   
• Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center 
  Girls’ Junior Varsity Basketball Coach (October 1997 – February 2003)

Jamie Hogue

Blackhawk Middle School Assistant Principal of Social-Emotional Learning
@JamieHogue9

PH: 630-766-2601 ext. 2775
FX: 630-766-7612
Email: jhogue@bsd2.org 

Passion

After over a decade of being an educator, I have developed a passion for social/emotional learning and development, student academic achievement and post secondary readiness. This passion was developed after working and supporting students and families that have experienced a significant level of trauma in their lives. I recognize that trauma infiltrates and leaves an indelible impression upon everyone. This significantly affects students who have yet to develop tools, skills and or have the mental aptitude to process how these experiences are affecting their here and now and their futures. My goal as a school leader is to inform/educate all stakeholders at Blackhawk Middle School as to how they play a role in developing and leading our students in the midst of a crisis response and how to be proactive in care when traumatic events unfold.  Overall, it is my passion to impress upon all invested stakeholders how we can best support individual students living with and experiencing trauma and how we can be instrumental leaders in creating and maintaining a safe, supportive and conducive trauma informed/sensitive school. 

Education

• Educational Administration & Leadership, M.A
  McKendree University, 2012

• Educational Psychology (School Counseling), M.S
  Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2007

• English Preprofessional, B.A
  Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2002

Experience

• Blackhawk Middle School
  Assistant Principal of Social Emotional Learning

• Thomas J. Kellar Middle School
  Assistant Principal/School Counselor

• Parrish Elementary School
  Assistant Principal 

• Carbondale Community High School
  School Counseling Department Chairperson/School Counselor