Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 is excited to welcome Sara Tlusty to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School as the Associate Principal for the 2025-26 school year. She met with families at the 5th-grade parent night and plans to meet with students at OLHMS on June 2 during the school day.
Read Sara Tlusty's biography below.
I am so excited to start my journey in District 123 at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School as an Associate Principal. With over 12 years of experience in special education, I have dedicated my career to advocating for inclusive, student-centered practices that empower learners of all abilities. My journey began as a middle school special education teacher, where I developed and implemented individualized education plans (IEPs), collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, and created nurturing, structured environments that supported both academic growth and social-emotional development in both self-contained and general education classrooms.
In addition to my time as a classroom teacher, I have held various leadership roles in special education, including serving as a Special Education Specialist and LEA Representative. In these positions, I have led program development, ensured compliance with state and federal regulations, mentored new teachers, and provided professional development on differentiated instruction, IEP implementation, co-teaching strategies and behavioral intervention strategies. My leadership style is rooted in empathy, equity, and collaboration, with a strong focus on building systems that support staff and improve outcomes for all students.
When I’m not at work, I love spending quality time with my family, especially my husband, our two girls, Emma and Olivia, and our beloved golden retriever, Maggie. They are the heart of my life and keep me grounded and inspired.
I am honored to begin this new journey and look forward to working alongside dedicated staff, students, families, and community members. Together, I believe we can create supportive, inclusive environments where every student is valued, challenged, and given the opportunity to thrive.