Eastside Connections School in Niles will have a new principal this fall.

Joe Racht, who most recently served as co-principal at Ballard Elementary School in the Niles Community Schools District, will take over for Tammy Tallis-Crowner.

Tallis-Crowner has been reassigned within the district as a teacher at Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center.

Racht brings 11 years of experience as an educator, including leading Ballard Elementary School’s STRIVE program, which uses Whole Brain Learning — a model focused on keeping kids active and engaged in the learning process. Racht said he plans to incorporate Whole Braining Learning to the Project Based Learning model at Eastside.

“I am very excited to be part of the Eastside family,” said Racht. “I am eager to work hard at providing our students and family with an amazing overall experience. I am personally excited about coming in and setting the bar high and working hard to get all of our students achieving at a high level.”

Racht served as a math teacher at Howard Elementary School for seven years before becoming assistant principal at Ballard Elementary during the 2010-11 school year. He later became co-principal.

Racht holds a master’s degree specializing in educational leadership from Walden University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Michigan University.

“Joe has been a valued member of the Niles Community School District for more than a decade and is the ideal candidate to continue the excellent momentum developed by Tammy during her tenure at Eastside Connections School,” said Michael Lindley, superintendent for Niles Community Schools. “I am confident he will continue to excel as a leader for our students and parents while ensuring that our children reach their full potential.”