Jordak gets new principal

The Cardinal School District has announced that Michelle Nizen is the new principal of Jordak Elementary School.

The Cardinal School Board approved her hiring with a 5-0 vote on July 11. Nizen comes to Cardinal from Fairport Harbor where she served as an assistant principal in their K-5 building.

Prior to that leadership role, she spent 13 years in the classroom as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, and, then served as an academic coach, according to a news release.

During her time in Fairport Harbor, Nizen created a sensory room for students with behavior disabilities and also served as the district wellness coordinator, providing opportunities for staff to focus on preventative health concepts, the release stated.

Nizen was also heavily involved in the district’s Response to Intervention process and Positive Behavior Intervention Supports efforts.

She navigated her building to 100 percent implementation of PBIS in all three tiers, which earned her building a gold medal recognition from the stat.

“I am committed to fostering a positive school culture and climate through our positive behavior supports programming and continuing to capitalize on the upward trends of our educational gains here at Jordak,” Nizen said in the release.

“I am very much looking forward to working with teachers and staff to foster a school climate that encourages our pups to continue to thrive and that inspires excellence!”

Nizen replaces Kelly Bearer, who resigned this month to become the elementary principal in the Wickliffe School District.