Northville’s Thornton Creek welcomes new principal

Deagon M. Jewett has been hired as the new principal at Thornton Creek Elementary School in the Northville Public Schools district. The Board of Education unanimously approved Jewett’s appointment at its Aug. 7 meeting. He succeeds Jennifer Bennett, who in late June accepted a position as a literacy coach with another school district.

Jewett comes to Northville Public Schools from the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district, where he served for the past two years in the newly created position of student support coordinator at Eriksson Elementary School, which serves students from preschool through fifth grade. In this role, he provided well-balanced and academically sound educational experiences, as well as created a friendly and welcoming environment through curriculum development and instruction, while also addressing the wide range of social, emotional and developmental needs of students.

Prior to his role as student support coordinator, Jewett was a classroom teacher at Plymouth-Canton’s Eriksson and Isbister elementary schools for nine years, teaching first through third grades. During that time, he also chaired the School Improvement, Building Equity Leadership and Culturally Proficient Instruction Teams, including working with colleagues and administration to realign curriculum with the Common Core Standards and modify instruction to prepare students to be college, career and culture ready. In addition, from 2013-15 he served as site coordinator for Plymouth-Canton’s elementary and middle school summer program.

“Mr. Jewett is well-versed in instruction, curriculum, data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement, while also sharing a passion for The Leader in Me framework and a positive school culture,” Northville Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher said. “He is committed to working collaboratively with teachers, students and families to build on Thornton Creek’s tradition of excellence and foster opportunities for continued growth. We are excited to have Mr. Jewett as part of the Thornton Creek and Northville Public Schools team.”

Jewett earned a bachelor of science in elementary Education from Michigan State University, a master’s in the art of teaching from Wayne State University and, most recently, completed his school administrator’s certificate at MSU.

“I was first attracted to Northville because of its public school system, which is why my wife and I moved to Northville eight years ago,” Jewett said. “We wanted our children to have access to an excellent education and be raised in a community that shares our values and beliefs.

“Beyond the district’s commitment to excellence, The Leader in Me model and its dedication to integrating technology, it is evident that Thornton Creek and its community have a shared vision to educate the whole child — not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well,” he added. “While visiting the school as part of the interview process, student leaders shared what is most important to them and how proud they are of their school. I was impressed with the students and how excited each was to be a leader at Thornton Creek.

“As Thornton Creek principal, I look forward to furthering this passion for leadership in our students, while enhancing the already rich traditions of Thornton Creek and working as a team to provide a world-class educational experience for every student, every day.”

Jewett lives in Northville with his wife Adrienne and their two daughters: Lucille, going into fourth grade, and Rose, going into first grade, at Moraine Elementary School.