A new principal has been hired to lead this Lexington school ‘to new heights’

The Boone County Schools director of language learners has been named the next principal of Lexington’s Northern Elementary School, district officials announced Friday night.

Geniene Piché is the first new principal of the 2023 hiring season, Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said.

“Dr. Piché’s deep understanding of what it takes to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment will lead Northern Elementary to new heights,” Liggins said. “She has an obvious passion for all students, and extensive experience with English learners, a population that is growing at Northern.”

He said Piché has more than 20 years of experience as an educator and currently serves as the director of language learners for Boone County Schools, where she leads world language and English learner programs for 26 schools where students and families represent 64 languages and 100 countries.

A native of South Africa, Piché began her career in education as a music teacher and moved into the roles of English learner teacher and coordinator, district officials said in a news release. She has served in various positions in Boone County Schools since 2011. She previously worked as a teacher in Cincinnati Public Schools.

Piché holds a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music education from Mount St. Joseph University, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate in urban educational leadership from the University of Cincinnati.

Fayette Elementary School Chief Jennifer Hutchison, who oversees Northern, said Piche’s experience working with diverse learners and her genuine passion for engaging families makes her a transformative leader poised to advance student achievement.