Elmhurst Elementary Principal Leaving In June

Sheleen DeLockery has presided over Emerson Elementary during the pandemic years.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Sheleen DeLockery, the principal of Emerson Elementary School in Elmhurst, Illinois, is set to leave her position in June 2026. DeLockery has served as the school's principal since July 2019, after previously working as a curriculum coordinator in Des Plaines School District 62. The reason for her departure is unclear, but this is a common time of year for school administrator changes.

Why it matters

DeLockery's tenure as principal has coincided with the challenging pandemic years, during which she had to navigate issues like remote learning and anti-mask protests involving nearly 100 people at the school. Her departure comes at a pivotal time for the school and community.

The details

Emerson Elementary, located in northwest Elmhurst, has around 450 students. In November 2021, the school was the site of an anti-face mask protest, with residents showing support for a student who decided not to wear a mask. DeLockery was present during the protest, but a top school district official warned a Patch reporter against approaching her. In July 2020, DeLockery tweeted about the difficulty of planning for the new school year amid the pandemic, saying the district would 'not make everyone happy' but would prioritize the health of students and staff.

  • DeLockery started as Emerson Elementary's principal in July 2019.
  • In November 2021, Emerson was the site of an anti-mask protest involving nearly 100 people.
  • DeLockery is set to leave her position as principal in June 2026.

The players

Sheleen DeLockery

The principal of Emerson Elementary School in Elmhurst, Illinois, who is set to leave her position in June 2026.

Emerson Elementary School

An elementary school in Elmhurst, Illinois, with around 450 students, where DeLockery has served as principal since July 2019.

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What they’re saying

“(W)e will not make everyone happy, but we will continue to remember that our children and everyone's health is at the forefront of our planning.”

— Sheleen DeLockery, Principal, Emerson Elementary School (Twitter)

The takeaway

DeLockery's departure as Emerson Elementary's principal comes at a pivotal time, as she has navigated the challenging pandemic years and faced community tensions over issues like mask mandates. Her exit raises questions about the school's leadership and the broader challenges facing educators during this turbulent period.