LM December 2015

Getting to know your Governmental Relations & Advocacy Committee members

Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting Favorite book: Lots – most recent one The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (series) Favorite musical artist : Maroon 5 One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I grew up in a funeral home where I lived above the funeral home and we answered all the emergency calls for fire and ambulance. Biggest concern about public education: Adequate and equitable funding for all public school districts Most encouraging thing about public education: Public schools are safe, nurturing environments where students K-12 develop their talents, have access to traditional and unique learning experiences and cultivate long-lasting friendships.

Leigh A. Lewis Southwestern Region School district: Triad Community School District 2 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: In March, the district passed a 50-cent educational tax referendum,

which hadn’t been done since 1963. Years as educator: 28 High school: Triad High School

Colleges or Universities: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville and St. Louis University Family: Husband and three children Favorite hobby: Running

movie but I love watching the series Vikings and The

Dr. Kerry Cox Two Rivers Region

Walking Dead on TV. Favorite book: Right now… Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite authors Favorite musical artist: Rolling Stones and Aerosmith One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you:

School district: Carrollton CUSD1 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: The collaboration that is demonstrated every day in our district is simply outstanding – we are a team vested in Hawk Pride for the betterment of each and every student. Years as educator: 29 High school: Winchester High School Colleges or Universities: Illinois College (BA), Western Illinois University (MS), University of Illinois-Springfield (Post-Master’s Certificate) Illinois State University (Ed.D.) Family: Husband (Steve – educator in Ball- Chatham CUSD), twin sons (Caleb – teacher/ coach in Ball-Chatham CUSD and Carter – pharmaceutical sales rep) Favorite hobby: Running, biking, fishing, swimming Favorite movie: I don’t really have a favorite

My twin boys weighed more than 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 7 lbs. 2.5 oz. when they were born – 14 lbs. 6.5 oz. of babies!!! Biggest concern about public education: My biggest concern in education today revolves around the challenge to continue to do more with less. As society, both locally and globally, continues to change at a rapid pace, the challenge to create 21 st Century Learners is difficult with 20 th century systems and resources. Most encouraging thing about public education: Watching our kids learn and grow by thinking, problem solving and creating.

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