Wayland Union School has hired Rachel Cimek as the new Baker Elementary School Principal pending board approval Dec. 14.
Cimek officially will begin on Monday, Jan 4. She has been interim principal at Baker Elementary since September after the resignation of former Principal, Celeste Diehm.
Cimek first was appointed assistant principal at Dorr Elementary last February and she co-chaired the PBIS committee, initiated the Second Step SEP behavior interventions, became the Title IX Investigator, and built relationships with staff, all while helping to organize and manage safety protocols for reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to coming to Wayland Union Schools, Cimek taught for seven years at Hopkins Elementary. During her tenure, she taught third through fifth grades and had the opportunity to serve as reserve principal when needed.
She filled a vacancy as assistant principal at Dorr last winter left by Robin Senura, who was elevated to principal in the wake of the resignation of Kevin Zaschak.
While at Hopkins, Cimek was nominated for the Outstanding People of Education award for five of the past six years.
Cimek is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she received her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education in 2013 and her masters of arts in Educational Leadership from GVSU in 2019.
“I am beyond excited to support our youngest Wayland Wildcats at Baker Elementary,” said Cimek. “It has been a privilege serving the Baker community as interim principal, and I look forward to continuing this relationship with students, staff and families.”
