District 219 named Leah Novak as the Director of Fine and Applied Arts at Niles North High School, starting August 4, 2025. The Niles Township High School Board of Education approved the appointment at their June 10, 2025 meeting.

Leah previously served as Fine Arts & World Languages department chair at Waukegan High School from 2014-2017 and at Huntley High School from 2017-2025.

Leah is a graduate of The Music Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts in Chicago.  In her time there, Leah studied both classical and jazz performance, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After teaching band, choir, orchestra, and music theory around the Chicagoland area, Leah completed her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. 

Leah also performs as a professional singer and accompanist around Illinois. She enjoys her time at home with her daughter and twin boys.