Corse Early Childhood Center will have a new principal this summer.
The Burlington School Board on March 25 approved the hiring of Shannon Tackes to continue the work of Bryan Baker, who has accepted a position as an elementary principal for Centerville Community Schools. Her anticipated start date is June 10.
“Shannon’s time spent working in the early childhood sector brings the experience needed to continue our great program at Corse,” Superintendent Robert Scott said. “Through the interview process, her passion for early childhood was apparent, and we are excited to see her bring that enthusiasm to the district.”
Tackes currently is a social-emotional behavioral health consultant for the Great Prairie Area Education Agency. She has an extensive background in both special education and early childhood development theories, practices and programming.
Tackes started her career as a childcare director for a large chain of preschools in California before she and her family moved in 2002 to Keokuk, where they owned and operated Little Angels Childcare and Preschool for 12 years. The childcare center served children from birth to 10 years of age.
While operating Little Angels, Tackes earned her elementary education degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Special Education and soon will complete Viterbo University’s Educational Leadership program.
Prior to working for the AEA, Tackes was an instructional strategist for 11 years, five in Fort Madison and six in Keokuk. Tackes has also served as an adjunct professor for SCC, teaching coursework under their child development/teacher education degree pathway program. Tackes hopes to bring her comprehensive knowledge of early childhood procedures and practices to her work at Corse.
She plans to bring her experience, knowledge and passion for education to Corse, where she looks forward to building relationships with students, staff and families.
“Building relationships is the foundation to healthy development, which facilitates learning at the highest level,” Tackes said. “I enjoy coaching and developing function-based interventions and strategies for diverse learners as well as conducting advanced assessments. All of that I can absolutely bring into my new role as I help guide and coach the current staff in diversifying and individualizing approaches to learning.”
Tackes lives in Keokuk with her husband and the youngest of her four children. She also is a middle school show choir director and youth theater director. She enjoys tending to her chickens, gardening, traveling, and baking, especially sourdough.
