Carol Hallberg’s choice to move into school administration was not easy.
After some 20 years of teaching elementary students, her heart belonged to the classroom. Still, she knew she would never be satisfied until she met her goal of becoming a principal.
“It was a hard decision because my love, to this day, is teaching,” Hallberg said. “I think I really needed to reach that time where I asked myself, ‘Are you really ready to give that up?’ Finally it got to that point and I thought, ‘Let’s try it.’”
Five years ago, Hallberg took over as principal of Jefferson School.
The road there was long. Hallberg taught first and second grades at Conrad Fischer, Jackson and Lincoln schools before accepting the position at Jefferson. And prior to joining Elmhurst Community Unit District 205, she started the kindergarten program at Immaculate Conception Parish, and before that, taught third grade in Lombard.
Hallberg is retiring this year after 21 years with District 205.
“You reach that point,” she said. “I’ve been dedicated to my career, and now I’m just looking forward to slowing down. I have a granddaughter, and our two children live in town.”
She and her husband, Jim, will remain in Wood Dale where they’ve lived for 12 years. And they’ll try to visit their small vacation spot in Arizona, where they play golf a little more frequently.
She said she’s thankful District 205 gave her the opportunity to advance.
“I couldn’t say enough about this district. It enabled me to grow and reach the potential of my career. Where I came from and ended up was all due to this district,” she said.
A plaque hangs in her office, a gift from her son, Rob.
“It’s about leadership,” Hallberg said, “and it’s hung in my office for five years. I always think of it as a model for professionalism. I’ve always hoped to be very approachable and display good professionalism.”
And something most people don’t already know?
“People laugh, but I am a very quiet person,” she said. “I love to read and I am very sensitive to others.”
Like many educators, Hallberg knows she’s made a difference when former students come up to her out of nowhere.
“They say, ‘Mrs. Hallberg, do you remember me?’ I think, no, but once they mention their name, ‘Oh, I remember you. You played the part in this ...’” she said. “And I hope I’ve helped them in some way.”
Hallberg made a lasting impression on Antoinette Bobric, who years ago had Hallberg for second grade; Bobric now teaches third grade at Jefferson.
“I still can’t call her Carol. It’s always Mrs. Hallberg. She’ll always be Mrs. Hallberg,” Bobric said with a laugh.
“Every parent dreamed to have her as their child’s second-grade teacher,” Bobric recalled. “She made everything fun and come alive.”
Cindy Moore, Hallberg’s secretary of three years, said Hallberg has set a great example of how to manage a school.
“She has a good heart and she always goes above and beyond. People don’t realize how hard the job of principal is. She’s always had the best interests of others in mind,” Moore said.