LM April 2026 - PUBLIC

DR. MARIANNE CUCCI Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instructional Technology New Lenox School District 122 Region: Three Rivers | Enrollment: 4,935 What made you decide to join the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC? I joined the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC to strengthen my leadership skills while also expanding my professional network. I was looking for an opportunity to learn practical tools and strategies that I could apply directly to my work. The chance to collaborate with other leaders across Illinois made it especially appealing. What’s one thing you took back from your experience? One of the most valuable takeaways was the opportunity to learn from others in similar roles. The PLC helped me clarify my vision for the future while also focusing on building capacity, strengthening connections, and cultivating a positive culture within my organization. Hearing different perspectives from other leaders was incredibly impactful. What would you tell an aspiring superintendent who’s on the fence about joining? I would strongly encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity. The experience has been highly beneficial, providing both practical leadership strategies and meaningful connections with peers that support your growth as a leader.

MATT WRIGHT Principal United Township High School Region: Blackhawk | Enrollment: 1,840 What made you decide to join the Foundations in Leadership and Vision PLC? As I have progressed in my career and as my superintendent nears retirement, I joined the PLC to further my understanding of the superintendent position and what all it entails. I hoped to get varying levels of information ranging from HR, school finance, and general school governance — and I have not been disappointed. While I did not initially intend this as a goal, it has also been a great networking opportunity. What’s one thing you took back from your experience? My favorite session thus far was visiting with a superintendent from the suburbs. He offered a myriad of things to consider and as he shared, it also provided great perspective on how different one superintendency can be from another. It gave me a lot to think about — including how small or large some districts can be and how that can completely alter the way the job is done. What would you tell an aspiring superintendent who’s on the fence about joining? Take the leap. At the very least, you’ll get some great information that can help inform your decision and you’ll get to meet some great people along the way.

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LM April 2026