Kaneland High School welcomed Melinda Cattell as the principal of the school starting with the 2024-25 school year. Her first day was on July 15, 2024. Cattell replaces the previous principal, Dr. James Horne, who is now the Kaneland school district’s Director of Educational Services 6-12.
Cattell started her career in social services after earning her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She also earned master’s degrees in School Counseling and Educational Administration from UW Oshkosh and Concordia University Chicago, respectively. Although she never intended to go into administration at the start of her career, she moved to an administrative role after 15 years as a school counselor.
She is a strong advocate for social-emotional health, especially given her school counseling background. She places an emphasis on meeting with and talking to students.
“I firmly believe that open communication and partnership between home and the school is essential to the success and well-being of our students,” Cattell wrote in an email to students and parents.
Prior to being hired at KHS, Cattell was the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at DeKalb High School for three years. There, she worked with Horne for one year. As she moves into Horne’s previous position, he has a positive outlook on her transition.
“Her honesty, approachability and knowledge will be well received,” Horne said. “She is ethical and moral in her decision-making and understands the important role that a school serves in the life of a student, a family and of a community.”
The reason Cattell decided to make the move, in addition to knowing people from Kaneland and hearing about the position opening up, was because she felt that moving into the role of a principal was the next step in her career.
“When you get to be an assistant principal, your end goal is always, or at least for me, to be a principal of a building,” she said.
Cattell grew up in Madison, WI, and is moving from Byron, IL, to DeKalb to be closer to her new job. She has a 21-year-old stepson and 16- and 11-year-old sons. With her family, she likes to do outdoor activities and watch movies, specifically Star Wars and Marvel movies. She has an identical twin sister who is also a principal, but at an elementary school.
One of her primary focuses is preparing students for careers outside of high school. The Fox Valley Career Center, with its vocational nature, was a source of excitement for her. Watching students succeed after years of dedication is rewarding for her.
“I really like watching high school kids succeed and be successful after they leave high school,” Cattell said.
“Graduation day is like my favorite day.”
