LM Apr 2023 hi

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. Curt Nettles Clinton CUSD#15 Dr. Charles Johns Glenbrook High School District 225

Who: Curt Nettles, superintendent

Who: Dr. Charles Johns, superintendent What: Presented at conferences on how superintendents can improve organizational structure as well as systems for continuous improvement of teaching and learning; Consulted and presented on MTSS; Leading an in-depth Climate and Culture study at

What: Longtime ISAL Coach; Transformational Leadership Academy Coach; Advocate and consultant for the CEO Program; Strengthened vocational programing at Clinton High School; Presented on Teen Mental Health First Aid

Glenbrook High School District 225; Adopted a social emotional screener tool that helps monitor the social emotional health of students Where: Glenbrook High School District 225, Cook North When: Superintendent of Glenbrook High School District 225 since 2019; Superintendent of West Chicago ESD #33 from 2014–2019 Why: Throughout his career in education, Dr. Charles Johns has prioritized creating systems that provide a strong framework for success. When he interviewed for the job of superintendent at Glenbrook High School District 225 in 2019—a high achieving district in Chicago’s north suburbs—it was clear that teaching students soft skills was a greater need than revamping the district’s approach to math and reading.

Where: Clinton CUSD #15, Abe Lincoln When: Superintendent of Clinton CUSD #15 since 2015; Superintendent of Lexington CUSD #7 from 2007–2015 Why: Curt Nettles didn’t know what to expect when he enrolled in the first cohort of IASA’s School for Advanced Leadership in 2010 “I wanted to try something to up my game,” Nettles said. “ISAL turned out to be the best PD I ever received. It made me uncomfortable. If you don’t get uncomfortable, you’re not going to grow.” Nettles has served as an ISAL coach in five cohorts. He has also been a coach for IASA’s Transformational Leadership Academy. As a coach, he mentors participants and helps them develop personal and

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LM April 2023