LM June-July 2022_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.

TimFarquer Williamsfield Schools

Dr. Laurie Heinz Palatine CCSD#15

Who: Tim Farquer, Superintendent What: Helping school districts electrify bus fleets and install solar panels on site; Leader in transition to Open Education Resources. Where: Williamsfield Schools, Western Region When: Superintendent of Williamsfield Schools for nine years.

Who: Dr. Laurie Heinz, Superintendent

What: Strategic Planning— setting direction; Launched Culturally and Linguistically Responsive (CLR) Teaching initiative; Intervention supports for students; Moving 15 Forward initiative.

Where: Palatine CCSD #15, Cook North. Second largest elementary district in Illinois serving close to 12,000 uniquely diverse students. When: Superintendent of Palatine CCSD #15 for four years. Former superintendent of Park Ridge- Niles SD #64. Why: Throughout her 30-plus years as an educator, Dr. Laurie Heinz’s north star has always been focused around making sure every student has what he or she needs to learn and grow. When she became Palatine CCSD #15’s first-ever female superintendent four years ago, Dr. Heinz began developing a new strategic plan that aligned to that mission. The mission focuses on students, staff, facilities and results. “We are doing away with a one-size fits all approach to instruction,” Dr. Heinz said. “When we looked

Why: Tim Farquer recognizes that restoring power to the town of Williamsfield, and its approximately 650 residents, isn’t the highest priority for Ameren Illinois when a large storm hits Knox County and the surrounding region. “Ameren, understandably so, wants to restore power to as many customers as possible. They’re not going to get to us right away,” Farquer said. “Our goal is to have a little independence from the grid and work in conjunction so, if the grid goes down, we still have power.” That motivation is one of the drivers in Farquer becoming a leader in helping school districts electrify their bus fleets and install solar panels at schools. It crystallized for him several years ago with the Volkswagen, and later Edwards Coal Plant, settlements, which provided an opportunity to apply for large amounts of money that could be used for environmental causes, such as on-site solar panel installation and school bus electrification.

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LM Summer 2022