It was announced that Mr. Shalala will be the new principal of Isham Elementary School. He has worked in the Wadsworth School District for eleven years. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Middle School.

Joseph Shalala has been appointed to be the newest principal of Isham Elementary School starting during the 2024-2025 school year.

Shalala is going into his eleventh year with Wadsworth City Schools, holding many positions. He spent one year as a teaching assistant at Isham, nine years as a fourth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, and this past year as an assistant principal at Wadsworth Middle School.

“Just being able to have a bigger part in helping students have a good learning experience is a big part for me,” Shalala said. 

He graduated from Norton High School and attended Ashland University, earning his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership while earning his Principal license.

“Definitely from the start, I knew I wanted to go into administration and become a principal,” Shalala said.  

His colleague and the Principal of the Wadsworth Middle School Eric Jackson is excited to see what Shalala will bring to Isham. Shalala worked as Jackson’s Assistant Principal during the 2023- 2024 school year and has positive opinions about what Shalala can accomplish.

“Mr. Shalala’s positive approach and contagious energy will make him wildly successful at Isham Elementary,” Jackson said.

Isham Elementary is a big part of why he is excited to take the job. With working in elementary for ten years of his eleven year career, it is one part of the job he is excited to get back to after his one year with the Middle School.

 “I’m really excited to get back to Elementary,” Shalala said.