LM Sept 2020

Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to ele- vating the superintendency and public education as a whole. Each month, we will feature two educators who are going the extra mile and truly making a difference beyond their school districts and local communities. While we are aware of many of the contributions administrators are making, we are open to any suggestions for someone to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Social Media and Publications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Dr. Hank Thiele CHSD#99 Dr. AliciaGeddis Danville CCSD#118

Who: Dr. Alicia Geddis, superintendent What: National advocate to end food insecurity; Eastern Illinois Foodbank advisor; Boys and Girls Club advisor during pandemic; IASA New Superintendents Conference; Radio Teacher Talk Time. Where: Danville CCSD #118, Illini. When: Superintendent at Danville CCSD

Who: Dr. Hank Thiele, superintendent What: Strong advocate and supporter of school districts during pandemic; Presented at IASA Annual Conference; Member of IASA Professional Development Committee; Leader in helping districts close the homework gap. Where: CHSD #99, DuPage Region.

When: Superintendent at CHSD #99 since 2016; Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Learning Maine Township HSD #207 from 2013–2016. Why: The COVID-19 pandemic thrusted superintendents into unfamiliar territory—the junction between what was happening in state and federal government, in local communities and with school boards. It created enormous pressure for superintendents, who also had to manage and communicate with stakeholders about rapidly changing guidance. “I started to realize people truly didn’t understand the time and effort superintendents were putting into the work this summer,” Dr. Thiele says. “I felt I needed to speak out.” Dr. Thiele articulated the complex challenges schools faced in media interviews, helping raise awareness. In Downers Grove, the administration and board received

#118 since 2015; Deputy superintendent and chief financial advisor at Dolton SD #149 from 2012–2015. Why: Every stop in her career in education, Dr. Geddis has recognized a common theme. “Hunger has been a pervasive challenge,” she says. “Finding ways to feed children is a deep passion of mine and an issue I have tried to elevate and mentor school leaders on.” Dr. Geddis first recognized how food insecurity can disrupt a student’s ability to learn when she was a graduate student in Tennessee. She was so passionate about finding solutions to the problem that she wrote her dissertation on food insecurity and has made it a major part of her life’s work. “My work has focused on finding money for schools and food for our children,” she says. “Anyone who knows me, I am going to find a way to feed students. If Susie is hungry, she’s not going to pay attention or be happy. It starts there.”

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LM September 2020