LM March 2021_lg

Dr. Terri VandeWiele Blackhawk Silvis SD #34 Enrollment: 640 Type: preK–8

Dr. Janiece Jackson Cook West

Lindop SD #92 Enrollment: 400 Type: preK–8

What made you want to pursue your first superintendency? I had the distinct pleasure of having two very skilled female superintendents that formally and informally mentored me. I always had a keen curiosity about the position and what it entailed, even though I thought that my consideration would be realized more towards my retirement. I sought to leave the classroom because my classes could run themselves, and it was time for a new person to take on that position with new and more innovative ideas. I needed to be challenged differently. My first administrative role was curriculum director and later as personnel director, which provided me the opportunity to work very closely with the superintendent and members of her cabinet. As important as I knew curriculum was to the district, it was not until I became personnel director that I recognized the critical balance that must be created between theory and practice. Although I was an active participant, I observed intently. In fact, I already knew how I would have handled the issues facing my superintendent on a daily basis (or at least I thought I knew). It was clear in my state of unconscious incompetence that all she needed to do was control her Board and speak up. Her style was caring, flexible, collaborative, nurturing and endearing. She was essential for the sake of the climate and culture that she would create in the midst of being in the dead center of the storm. The morale of the district was improving. She made me love my career. I knew that I had no communication issues and that if I touched the heart of teachers and administrators, I could incite the desire to create opportunities for children that were innovative and provided exposure to that which was outside of their normal purview. I continued to be intrigued by the sheer mystery of it all. My takeaway was that things aren’t always as they seem. I had a responsibility to seek understanding before passing judgment. I received my first dose of politics the hard way. My next district was similar in size to the first but an upgrade. A high level of professionalism and customer service was expected and required. The leadership style and dominant traits were polar opposite from my prior experience. My superintendent urged me to work in and/or familiarize myself with each position that I could possibly oversee. I was given the opportunity to serve as dean, assistant principal and

What made you want to pursue your first superintendency? An internal desire to be a servant leader, as well as several influential people in my life, are the reasons I decided to pursue the superintendency. After settling into my career as a high school chemistry teacher, I decided I wanted to continue my education. My superintendent at the time, Dr. Craig Whitlock, encouraged me to pursue a degree in leadership. After earning my principal licensure, he hired me to be a Division Chair at United Township High School. The fact that he believed in me was instrumental in setting me on the path to becoming a superintendent. I have also had the privilege to be mentored by another great United Township High School superintendent, Dr. Jay Morrow. After he was hired to be the superintendent at UTHS, he hired me to be the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Morrow knew that I eventually wanted to be a superintendent, so he allowed me to participate in meetings, phone calls and events that would prepare me for the role. The leaders at United Township provided mentoring and encouragement and the professors at Western Illinois University laid the foundation that I was able to build upon as I developed my leadership skills. They opened my eyes to the complexities of how school systems work and the importance of effective leadership in schools. I quickly learned that, as a teacher, I could impact the lives of the students in my classroom, but as a superintendent, I could impact the lives of all the students in the district. I loved teaching, but after I made that connection, there was no turning back. The actual moment I decided to finally take “the leap” was after I attended a Women in Leadership event that was moderated by Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos. I will never forgot Sen. Duckworth stating that when men apply for a leadership position they assume they are ready for leadership. Women wait to pursue a leadership position until they feel they have enough experience to be ready for leadership. That was the moment that I realized I would never be 100 percent ready for the superintendency and that at some point I would just have to take a leap of faith. Shortly after that meeting, I applied for my first

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