West Chicago, IL — Wheaton Academy is pleased to announce several exciting leadership transitions that reflect our continued commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and Kingdom impact. These changes mark a new chapter in our school’s story, and we are celebrating the faithful leadership that has brought us here and will continue to guide us through the coming years.
Kori Hockett Named Chief Academic Officer
Current Principal Mrs. Kori Hockett will be promoted to a newly created role as Chief Academic Officer. In this capacity, she will lead the Wheaton Academy Institute, retain oversight of our Athletics department, and continue to provide vital coaching and mentoring to faculty and staff. Mrs. Hockett spearheaded innovative programs that experienced substantial growth, necessitating our most recent campus expansion.
During her 25-year tenure, Mrs. Hockett served as a teacher, including Teacher of the Year, a coach, an Assistant Principal, and, currently, the Principal. In the past eight years as Principal, Mrs. Hockett has cultivated a culture of excellence in teaching and learning at Wheaton Academy. A highly sought-after speaker and consultant in school culture and teacher development, Mrs. Hockett’s new role will advance Christian schooling for the glory of God. We are excited to see her leadership extend beyond Wheaton Academy and are proud of her desire for Christian schools to have a lifelong impact on the students and the families they serve.
Brad Thornton Named Principal
We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Brad Thornton, current Vice Principal, will become the next Principal of Wheaton Academy. Mr. Thornton has served for twelve years in various roles—from classroom teacher and coach to Department Head and campus leader. In 2019, he was named Teacher of the Year.
Mr. Thornton has played a pivotal role in building strong athletic programs while also providing leadership in the English, Fine Arts, and Bible departments. He holds two master’s degrees, including one in School Leadership from Baylor University. Over the past eight years, he has worked closely with Mrs. Hockett to lead and shape the culture at Wheaton Academy. Together, they secured our recognition as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. We are confident that Mr. Thornton’s commitment to excellence, spiritual formation, and student success will guide our students with strength and integrity in the years to come.
Phil Strzalka to Begin New Consulting Role While Remaining Connected to Wheaton Academy
After five years of pioneering leadership as Executive Director of the WA Institute and Head of the Business Department, Mr. Phil Strzalka will be transitioning to a part-time role at Wheaton Academy. This shift will allow him to pursue an exciting opportunity in leadership and consulting with C12, a CEO Business Forum.
During his tenure, Mr. Strzalka led remarkable growth in our business program, launched the school’s first student-run business, The Shack, and shared Wheaton Academy’s best practices with schools across the country. We are deeply grateful for his impact and thrilled that he will remain involved with the Wheaton Academy Institute and Business Program in the year ahead.
As we look ahead, we are grateful for God’s provision of such faithful and capable leaders. These transitions are a testament to our mission to nurture growth in students through relationships, excellence, and service to the glory of God.