Monte Sill Named New Principal at NWC

With the departure of Dr. Sunie Killam to the district administrative post as the new Executive Director of Counseling, College, and Career Readiness for the Oklahoma City Public School District, her lead Assistant Principal at Northwest, Monte Sill, has been named Principal, effective July 1.

Sill is beginning his 27th year in education and has run the gamut of nearly every kind of teaching or administrative position, ranging from grade school, middle and high school positions as a teacher, athletic coach, administrator and superintendent. For the last four years he has served as lead Assistant Principal at Northwest Classen. Prior to joining OKCPS, Monte spent 14 years in school leadership roles across multiple educational levels and six years as a high school teacher and football coach, building meaningful relationships with students while promoting teamwork, discipline, and personal growth.

A native of Stroud, Oklahoma, Monte is a graduate of Bristow High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Oklahoma State University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

As the new Head Principal, Monte is well-aware of the school’s strong foundation and rich, 70-year tradition. His vision for current students is to motivate and empower them to grasp this legacy by becoming lifelong learners who graduate, aspire to college and actively seek career opportunities that will allow them to thrive in an ever-changing world.

“I am a face-to-face administrator,” Sill said. “I won’t be chained to my desk but out in the hallways interacting with our students and faculty daily. I may not know every name, but I recognize most of their faces and building relationships is a key step in helping our students – my students – succeed in school and in life.”

Monte also believes that strong schools are built through meaningful alumni relationships and community engagement. He looks forward to strengthening connections with Northwest alumni and expanding opportunities for their involvement in school programs, activities, and events. “The Northwest Classen Hall of Fame is a perfect example of showcasing our best and brightest alumni. Tom Cheatham and his team have not only shown a bright light on the amazing accomplishments of some of our alumni, but they’ve also raised significant revenue to help fund classes, instruction and equipment that the school otherwise could not have provided for our students,” said Sill. “Dr. Killam and I have always valued the opportunity to connect with our alumni, learn from their experiences, and work together to ensure Northwest Classen remains a source of pride for our community. That will never change here.”

After a decade of service to Northwest Classen, Dr. Killam recently accepted a position with OKCPS as the Executive Director of Counseling, College, and Career Readiness. She began her service here in the 2015-16 school year as the Freshman Academy Principal for two years before transitioning to lead Assistant Principal at the school for the next four years. Due to an administrative retirement at Capitol Hill High School, there was a void in the leadership team with the background and experiences Dr. Killam possessed. As such, she was asked to fill that vacancy during the 2021-22 school year, but returned to Northwest Classen the following year as the Head Principal. She remained in that post until her recent appointment to the OKCPS Executive Director position.

Dr. Killam’s service to Northwest Classen will be remembered and celebrated for the leadership qualities she helped to instill in her students and faculty, as well as the creation and expansion of programs that reflect students’ needs and passions in programs like broadcasting, cinematic film, culinary arts, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and e-sports. During her tenure as the Head Principal, the students and staff collectively accomplished and received honors in many areas, a few of these include: OKPCS District Teacher of the Year finalists, The Telly Award for the short film produced by students, Soccer state playoff qualification, football playoff qualification, OKCPS District Secondary Principal of the Year, among many others.

Her mission has always been to support and prepare students and staff for whatever their next step goal looks like, and she is also proud of the leaders she has played a part in growing and developing into our next administrative leaders, from Paraprofessionals to Teachers; Teachers to Department Chairs; Teachers to Assistant Principals and Assistant Principals to Head Principals. Her efforts also served to guide the recently-completed Girl’s Athletic Complex, as well as the planning, development and construction of the school’s new multi-function Education wing opening in the Spring of 2027.