This article was written for the May edition of the Community Compass newsletter.
MCPASD honored more than 20 retirees for the impact they’ve made on students, families and the community at the District’s annual retiree dinner on May 21. Two of the evening’s honorees included Northside Elementary School Principal Sylla Zarov and Sauk Trail Elementary School Principal Chris Dahlk.
Both principals have made a tremendous impact on MCPASD students and families as well as their colleagues and the larger community. We highlight their careers in education and the legacies they’ll leave when they retire in July.
Principal Sylla Zarov
After graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Zarov began her career in education in 1994 as a kindergarten teacher in Chicago. She later worked in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) at John Muir and Randall Elementary schools, teaching first, second and third grades as well as serving as an instructional coach and interventionist.
After attending Edgewood University to earn a master’s degree in leadership, she served as assistant principal at Franklin Elementary in MMSD from 2014 until 2021, when she joined MCPASD as the principal of Northside Elementary School.
“During Sylla’s five year tenure at Northside, she has created a culture of care, collaboration, and love,” MCPASD Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue said in a tribute to Zarov at retiree dinner. “Sylla is never in her office. She is literally working with students and teachers from the time she arrives in the morning until she leaves at night. I’m talking bus duty, recess duty, she serves lunch, she supports students in crisis, she works with PLCs, she stocks the refrigerator in the lounge with her staff’s favorite things. She is always willing to pitch in to help, to support, to encourage and to guide, and to just be present with her staff and her students.”
Zarov’s legacy of caring and connection will have a lasting impact on children's learning and growth at Northside Elementary School.
“On behalf of a very grateful District, we wish you and your husband and your three boys all the best now and into the future,” Monogue told Zarov at the retiree dinner.
Principal Chris Dahlk
Sauk Trail Elementary School staff and students are preparing to say goodbye to Dahlk, whose career with the District spans 35 years.
“Chris Dahlk is a shining example of growing your own; she is a Middleton native and graduated from Middleton High School and has only worked in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District,” Monogue said at the retiree dinner.
Dahlk began her career in education in 1991, teaching third grade at Park Elementary School. Her career included her own continuing education; she earned two master’s degrees – one in instructional technology from Edgewood University and one in leadership from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She taught third and fifth grades in MCPASD elementary schools, and filled in as a principal at Sauk Trail during another principal’s maternity leave. Dahlk was hired as the principal of Sauk Trail Elementary School in 2009.
“Chris’ leadership tenure at Sauk Trail is marked by her servant-leadership and her belief in her students and staff,” Monogue said at the retiree dinner. “She is never in her office. She is always with students and staff, giving everything she has on a daily basis to help support, guide, direct, encourage, monitor and teach. She is hands-on, always willing to do whatever is needed. Her staff can rely on her, they trust her, and they value her partnership.”
Dahlk’s legacy of inclusion, caring and compassion will be felt at Sauk Trail Elementary School for many more generations of learners.
MCPASD thanks both Principal Zarov and Principal Dahlk for their years of leadership and service to MCPASD schools. While they will be deeply missed, both schools look forward to welcoming new principals in July: Kirsten Andreoni at Northside Elementary School and Josh Forehand at Sauk Trail Elementary School.