Long-time Principal at Hickory Point School to Retire

Cory Hehn has made the kids at a large part of her life.

The Glenview resident has been in District 27 for 30 years first as a teacher and then as the principal at one of the system's two elementary schools for 15 years.

Now she's planning to hang it all up; Hehn will at the end of the school year. Patch asked Hehn what it's been like in District 27 and what she's looking forward to when she retires.

What will you Miss about your Job?

I will miss the kids and all their smiles and hugs and watching them grow each day.  I will also miss our awesome Hickory Point staff and the great families I have worked with all these years.

What Won't you Miss about your Job?

Paperwork! When I look at the mess on my desk every day I wonder whatever happened to the concept of a “paperless society”!  I also won’t miss late night e-mails!

Any words of wisdom to faculty or staff who will be coming in?

Always put the kids first in all you do and in all your decisions.  It’s about the kids!

What are your hopes for the school?

I know The Point will continue to be a place where everyone, kids and staff alike, are excited to be.  Everyone will continue to come to school each day with a smile on his/her face ready to work and learn.  I know our staff and kids will continue to be bucket-fillers and kind bulldogs.

What do you plan to do during retirement, particularly the first year?

I have two beautiful grandchildren, Andrew who is just turning 1 and Payton who is 6 months old – and another due in December.  I can hardly wait to spend more time with them and find all kinds of adventures for us to enjoy.

I also have two big trips planned – a river-cruise from Budapest and into Austria and Germany ending in Holland in October.  Then in lat January we are going to Australia and New Zealand.

What are you looking forward to during retirement?

Kicking back and taking time to get back into all those hobbies like gardening, stained glass and sewing.  I can’t wait to turn off my alarm clock and finally enjoy my morning coffee leisurely as I sit on my deck and finally have time to smell the roses!

Anything you'd Like to Add?

I started my teaching career forty years ago.  Over the span of those years I’ve have spent about 8,000 days with children.  To me, the most amazing thing is not the number but the fact that no two days were ever exactly alike and every day was a new and exciting adventure.  I feel blessed to have chosen a career path that I love so much that coming to work each day is a joy rather than a chore. I leave District 27 with so many good memories and great friends.  When I came here in 1982 I was looking for a job but soon discovered I had found a loving and caring family.  I feel truly blessed and honored to have worked with so many great professionals.  It has been an extraordinary journey!