Thomas (Tom) Hakim has been named principal of Westfield’s Washington Woods Elementary School. Hakim is the second principal in the school’s history. He succeeds Dr. Scott Williams, who is retiring June 30 after a 19-year career in Westfield schools.
Hakim
Hakim joins Westfield Washington Schools from Indianapolis Public Schools’ Cold Spring School Environmental Studies and STEM Magnet, where he served as elementary principal. He has worked in MSD Washington Township (Indianapolis) and serves as an adjunct professor in the Klipsch Educators College at Marian University. Prior to his time in education, he also worked in the finance field in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Tom’s unique experience as a school leader with a strong focus on relationships with students, teachers and parents set his candidacy apart,” said Dr. Sherry Grate, superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools. “We are thrilled to engage such an innovative, creative thinker to lead Washington Woods – and his fluency in Spanish is an added bonus to the school community.”
Hakim is a graduate of Grand Valley State University (Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude), Marian University (Masters of Arts in Teaching) and the University of Indianapolis (Masters of Business Administration). He began his teaching career as a Teach For America corps member in Indianapolis from 2009-2011. His wife, Laura, is a School Social Worker in MSD Washington Township and they have two daughters, ages 4 and 6.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity and the trust of the Westfield Washington Schools community to join the district in this capacity,” Hakim said. “I am looking forward to meeting and working with the students, families, staff and community partners of Washington Woods Elementary School. It is my hope to passionately serve the Washington Woods school community such that it is not just a model school in the district, but also across Indiana and the nation. I cannot wait to get started!”
Hakim will begin his new role on July 1. His appointment was approved by the Westfield Washington School Board Tuesday evening.
Washington Woods is one of six elementary schools in the Westfield Washington School district.