LM April2022_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. Shannon Duling Princeville CUSD#326 Dr. KaraCoglianese CreteMonee CUSD#201U

Who: Dr. Kara Coglianese, superintendent. What: Developing a wide range of social-emotional supports to help students recover from hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Where: Crete Monee CUSD #201U, Three Rivers Region. When: Superintendent of Crete Monee CUSD #201U for four years. Previously

Who: Shannon Duling, superintendent. What: Early adopter and supporter of rural schools embracing technology and the Future Ready Framework; Princeville Daycare; Princeville Migrant Head Start. Where: Princeville CUSD #326, Central Illinois Valley Region. When: Superintendent of Princeville

superintendent of Homer CCSD #33Ca. Why: When students in Crete Monee CUSD #201U returned from a remote environment, it was evident the district needed to increase its level of social-emotional supports to address emerging needs. “Many students returned to school with social and emotional skills that are delayed,” Dr. Kara Coglianese said. “We realized we need to provide special attention to support our students through their transition to a new normal.” The preK–12 district utilized its ESSER funds to hire an additional social worker, counselor, truancy officer and two behavior specialists. Dr. Coglianese also recognized the district needed to think outside of the box. Crete Monee CUSD #201U brought in two licensed therapy dogs through the Healing PAWS therapy program. The dogs were trained by inmates and donated from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The dogs have been so successful

CUSD #326 since 2011. Why: When Shannon Duling was hired as superintendent 11 years ago, teachers in Princeville CUSD #326 navigated a daily dilemma. “The textbooks and reference materials teachers used were really dated,” Duling said. “We needed to bring in new information to the district.” Between 2013 and 2015, Princeville CUSD #326 made the transition from a couple computer labs to a 1:1 unit district—a move that drastically changed the education the rural district of about 700 students can provide. Since then, Duling has shared Princeville CUSD #326’s story with other superintendents from rural areas. He has also presented at conferences about how rural districts can embrace the Future Ready Framework. “We brought our education into the 21st century, provided our students real-world applications and gave kids an

12

continued on page 13...

continued on page 13...

LM April 2022