LM April 2024

Education Elevat g

Wilcox ... cont’d. SEED: Skilled Communicator & Collaborator; Effective Problem Solver & Decision Maker; Ethical & Open-minded Global Citizen; Determined & Empowered Individual. “Our SEED was planted eight years ago and it guides all the work we do,” said Dr. Wilcox, adding the district brings the portrait to life in a variety of ways throughout the district, including a student graduation speech from the student who will be the next year’s face of the Portrait. As superintendent, Dr. Wilcox led a successful $49 million facilities referendum in 2023 that is being used to create nine new science labs and classroom spaces, build an additional gym at Aptakisic Junior High School, plus a wide range of infrastructure and safety improvements across the district’s four buildings. “We have a strong partnership with our community and we are very grateful for their support,” Dr. Wilcox said. “We had a groundbreaking ceremony on April 8, the day of the solar eclipse, which was fitting because the theme we used throughout the referendum campaign was Building Our Bright Future Together!” Dr. Wilcox has also led the district during a time of changing demographics. At Aptakisic-Tripp CCSD #102, over 70 percent of students speak a second language at home. “Diversity is an asset in D102, and we strive to make sure all of our students feel included, engaged, and connected,” she said. Outside of the district, Dr. Wilcox completed the IASA School for Advanced Leadership and took courses to become a certified leadership coach. She was among the group of coaches for IASA’s Transformational Leadership Academy. In addition, Dr. Wilcox has mentored new superintendents in Lake County. “I learn so much from the leaders that I have the privilege of getting to know and support.” When she retires in May, Dr. Wilcox plans to become a mediator and hopes her OPF mindset will assist her in helping others resolve disputes and overcome challenges.

O’Laughlin ... cont’d.

“That really accelerated our kids’ interest in taking CTE and fine arts classes because they knew it wouldn’t hurt their class rank to take an unweighted course,” he said. Students at Metamora Twp HS #122 are required to take one year of fine arts and one year of CTE classes to graduate. Metamora High School is home to the Central Illinois Vocational Education Co-Op (CIVEC). O’Laughlin currently serves as President. In an effort to bolster CTE offerings, the district opened a brand new 15,000-square foot facility that houses numerous programs, including welding, auto mechanics, agriculture and woods. Partnerships with companies like Caterpillar, ATS, and Parsons have also provided work based learning opportunities for students. Metamora Twp HS #122 is also unique in its focus on robotics. It has a full-size robotics practice field, where students train for regional and national competitions. The MTHS robotics team is getting ready to go to the FIRST Robotics World competition in Texas for the third year in a row. Furthermore, the district offers a wide array of Advanced Placement and dual credit courses, which saves families money in the long run because students can earn numerous hours of college credit while still in high school. For example, students earned 2,140 semester hours of college last year, the equivalent of $823,000 at Illinois State University. “Within the next couple of years, students at Metamora Township High School who want to pursue a college education will be able to earn an Associate’s Degree before graduation,” O’Laughlin said. “That will be an incredible benefit to our families and help set students up for success later in life.” O’Laughlin said he is also proud to play a role in enhancing MTSS supports for students by investing dollars in staff and other social-emotional supports. During his tenure, the district has hired their own social worker, added a fourth guidance counselor and created the position of Director of Student Services. Free summer school, a credit recovery program, supported study hall and math tutor halls round out the extra layer of support offered to students at Metamora Twp HS #122.

23

LM April 2024