LM Jan 2024

Education Elevat g

Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez DeKalb CUSD # 428

Dr. Brad Skertich Collinsville CUSD # 10

Who: Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, Superintendent What: Founding Member of Latino Leadership Pipeline; Presented and shared on benefits of conducting an Equity Audit; Promoted student voice in decision making; Named Equity Warrior by Voices 4 Equity; Expanded SEL supports; Eliminating an education desert in community;

Who: Dr. Brad Skertich, Superintendent What: Advocate for passage of Evidence-Based Funding; IASA COVID-19 Transition Team; Vision 2030 Workgroup; Advocate for additional career and technical education funding; Renovating Collinsville Area Vocational Center; Expanded internet connectivity and technology access; Opening new elementary school; Launched Kahoks

Teaching Kahoks Grow Your Own Teacher program Where: Collinsville CUSD #10, Southwestern When: Fifth year as superintendent of Collinsville CUSD #10; Nine years as superintendent of Southwestern CUSD #9 Why: As a superintendent during proration in General State Aid, Dr. Brad Skertich lived through an era of schools cutting costs and trimming programs for students. When a strategy emerged to change the state’s funding formula to a more equitable system, Dr. Skertich jumped at the opportunity to advocate. “We were in survival mode and constantly looking at ways to restructure costs rather than create new opportunities for students,” Dr. Skertich said. “I wanted to make a difference and change that trajectory for students, educators and our impact on students across the state.” Dr. Skertich was among the group of superintendents who testified in Springfield, held school funding rallies across the state, hosted town hall meetings and shared the message about the state needing to step up and do what’s best for students. After the passage of Evidence-Based Funding in 2017, Dr. Skertich continued to be an advocate. He served on the

Opening a Transition Center to better serve 18-22-year-old students with disabilities Where: DeKalb CUSD #428, Kishwaukee When: Third year as superintendent of DeKalb CUSD #428; 27 ½ years in Chicago Public Schools Why: In June, Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez was one of nine school leaders from across the nation named recipients of the Equity Warrior Award, meant to recognize dedication to promoting equity for students, families and women education leaders. The award was the culmination of decades of work to provide equitable opportunities to both students and educators. Dr. Garcia-Sanchez is a founding member of the Latino Leadership Pipeline. The organization, now in its sixth year, provides monthly professional development for young educators seeking to advance in their careers, including reflective learning on culturally and unbiased leadership understanding, training around testing requirements to earn principal certification, leadership training and interview skills. “I want to open doors for teachers to become assistant principals and assistant principals to become principals,” Dr.

14 LM January 2024