LM May.2021_FINAL

Elevat g prepare students for meaningful careers. The initiative pushed Kankakee SD #111 to expand technology and open new doors for students and staff. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was easier for the district to pivot to remote learning. “We had three years to look at education and what it means for our kids when it’s not tied into four walls of school buildings,” Dr. Walters said. Kankakee SD #111 was among the first school districts in the state to publish a detailed back-to-school plan that provided students with options for remote and in-person learning. Dr. Walters shared her district’s plan with her peers on a webinar hosted by IASA. As superintendent, Dr. Walters has also fostered 100 partnerships between the district and community. Among those is a collaboration with the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office and other local agencies to secure grant funds to establish the Kankakee County Youth Empowerment Program. The program aims to open up mentoring, tutoring, job training and community service opportunities. A Kankakee County Teen Court was also established as an alternative to a traditional juvenile court. In addition, Dr. Walters played a key role in bringing the National Youth Project Using Minibikes to Kankakee. Walters .. cont’d.

Webb ... cont’d.

Method and the PARA Mindset that show individuals how to quickly react in case of a public act of violence, and how to be prepared for anything. While he is trained to respond to a crisis situation, Dr. Webb is a strong believer that the best line of defense in schools is educators connecting with kids in a social and positive manner. “A lot of times we are missing a lot of trauma in kids and what they bring with them to school because we are so engrossed in testing and determining their cognitive abilities, rather than looking at their entire social-emotional well being,” Dr. Webb said. “It truly makes a difference when you can be their friend.” In his presentations to school leaders, Dr. Webb emphasizes how addressing bullying and making school a more student-oriented place can be a more effective strategy to preventing violence than hardening facilities, although the latter is also important. “We never want any student to feel as if they’re viewed as a number on a test,” Dr. Webb said. “School needs to be about creating those positive experiences for kids so they enjoy learning and are excited to come to school each day.”

On the go? Access Capitol Watch, LeadershipMatters and more on IASA’s App.

DOWNLOAD IASA’S FREE APP TO YOUR DEVICE FROM

OR

(Search for IllinoisASA)

OR just scan here with your phone’s QR code reader to find our APP: