Illini Bluffs Middle School

At the December meeting, the Illini Bluffs #327 school board unanimously approved hiring Mr. Dimitri Almasi as the next middle school principal. Dimitri replaces Mrs. Karen Peterson, who is retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 school year after 13 years of service to Illini Bluffs.

Dimitri is currently the elementary principal for Elmwood School District #322, a position he has held for three years. Before Elmwood, he served as the 5-8 principal at Germantown Hills School District #69. Dimitri got his start as a 4th grade teacher and then transitioned to teaching junior high science, social studies, and health at Limestone Walters School District #316. Dimitri has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Bradley University, and recently completed his Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University. He is a life-long resident of the IB school district, graduated from IBHS in 2006, and resides in Lake Camelot with his wife, Natalie.  

In his application materials, Dimitri wrote, “While researching Illini Bluffs Middle School, I have found that the school has taken great steps to ensure that decisions are made to provide students with the best learning experience possible. I hope to earn the students, staff, and community’s trust by demonstrating care for the school and fostering a school environment that puts students at the center of our focus. In collaboration with my staff and students, I want to provide an educational program that promotes growth in all students, establish norms rooted in integrity and mutual respect, and facilitate a school environment where stakeholders take pride in being an Illini Bluffs Tiger.”