Longtime NewHope Educators Step Into New Leadership Roles

After building their careers at NewHope Academy, Bethany Arteaga and Meaghan Torrence are taking on new leadership roles at the school. Arteaga, who first joined NewHope in 2014, now serves as director. Torrence, who joined the school as a math teacher in 2010, now serves as associate director and principal.

Both bring years of experience at NewHope to their new positions, along with an understanding of the students, staff, and school community.

NewHope Leadership Built on Years of Experience

Arteaga first came to NewHope as a maternity leave substitute before becoming a Spanish teacher, later moving into leadership roles as assistant principal and principal.

Torrence started at NewHope shortly after college. She spent 14 years teaching math and helped expand the math department from three core classes to a program that includes trigonometry, precalculus, honors classes and honors calculus. She also served as an IEP specialist and recently earned her Illinois principal certification.

A Strong Connection to the NewHope Community

Both administrators say the school’s sense of trust and connection has played an important role in their decision to stay and grow professionally at NHA.

“It is that family environment that keeps me here,” Arteaga said.

Torrence also describes NewHope as her “chosen family,” pointing to the collaboration and dedication of her colleagues.

“I’m here for the staff,” Torrence said. “I think they are amazing.”

Supporting Staff, Students and Families

In her new role, Arteaga is focused on guiding the school through change while ensuring staff and students have a voice in NewHope’s direction.

“I look forward to being the voice of our staff and our students,” she said. Arteaga also plans to continue strengthening relationships with districts, families and the broader community.

Torrence’s move into administration follows years of preparation for a larger role in instructional leadership. In addition to earning her master’s degree and principal certification, she helped establish monthly in-house professional development at NewHope, giving teachers regular opportunities to learn from one another and strengthen their practice.

“The staff and teachers are amazing,” Torrence said. “I want to be there for them and that trickles down to the kids.”

Experience That Shapes Their Approach

Their years in the classroom also shape how Arteaga and Torrence approach leadership. Arteaga brings additional experience in marketing and restaurant ownership, which she credits with strengthening her communication skills and ability to form strong relationships. Her time as a teacher gives her firsthand knowledge of the demands staff members face each day.

Both leaders also recognize the experience of the educators around them. Many NewHope teachers have served the school for seven, 10, 15 or even 20 years, providing continuity for students and creating opportunities for colleagues to learn from one another.

Looking Ahead at NewHope Academy

Looking ahead, Arteaga wants to enhance programming, develop staff, expand district partnerships and grow enrollment while continuing to support families and students. Torrence hopes to build on NewHope’s foundation by supporting teachers in ways that help students thrive.

For Arteaga and Torrence, their new positions are an opportunity to build on years of experience at NewHope while helping shape what comes next for the school, its staff and its students.

NewHope Academy provides students with average to above-average intelligence, a small, safe and supportive educational environment designed to meet their individual needs. Since the school’s founding, hundreds of students have attended NewHope, with many returning to their home schools full time and going on to succeed in college.