LM April 2024

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 some one to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Communications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Dr. Lori Wilcox Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD #102 Sean O’Laughlin Metamora Twp HS #122

Who: Sean O’Laughlin, Superintendent What: Enhanced CTE and Fine Arts offerings; Shifted district away from class rank to encourage electives; Bolstered partnerships with businesses to expand work-based learning; Upgraded the high school for two Project Lead The Way classrooms, a new Computer Science Classroom, and a full-size robotics competition area and maker space;

Who: Dr. Lori Wilcox, superintendent What: Early pioneer of Portrait of a Graduate; EdLeader21/Battelle for Kids Advisor; Led successful facilities referendum; ISAL Fellow; Certified Leadership Coach; Transformational Leadership Academy coach; Mentor to new superintendents. Where: Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD #102,

Lake Region When: Superintendent of Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD #102 for eight years Why: Throughout her administrative career, Dr. Wilcox has adopted the mantra of OPF: work to be Open, Positive and Flexible. “With that mindset we can find solutions to any problem,” Dr. Wilcox said. Collaboration and strong relations are embedded in the culture and practices at Aptakisic-Tripp D102. The elementary district, located in Buffalo Grove, was an early creator of a Portrait of a Graduate. The Portrait identifies the skills, dispositions and competencies the community believes are needed for success at Stevenson High School and beyond. D102’s portrait competencies are communicated in the acronym

Expanded AP and dual credit courses; Increased social-emotional supports for students. Where: Metamora Twp HS #122, Central Illinois Valley When: Superintendent of Metamora Twp HS #122 for seven years Why: Creating avenues for students to pursue their interests has been a driving force for Sean O’Laughlin throughout his superintendency at Metamora Twp HS #122. “One of the things I preach to our faculty is we need to make sure our students can read, write, speak and create at a high level,” O’Laughlin said. “I want our students to be well-rounded and leave our district with the skills to be lifelong learners and capable of adapting to changes in the workforce.” To encourage students to explore elective courses, O’Laughlin shifted the district away from the class rank system to the Latin honors system, which puts more emphasis on bands of student recognition rather than just the top ten.

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LM April 2024