LM Nov-Dec_2023

tendent of theYear

Kankakee SD #111

or experience working with either adults or students. The SEL coaches provide extra support to most of our students, but they can even provide support to our adults. Can you share how The New Teacher Project has helped Kankakee SD #111? We partnered with the New Teacher Project to look at the percentage of grade level instruction and grade level assignments that we were providing across the district. At that time, we found out that 30 percent of the instructional time was actually at grade level. We put in a system of support and accountability to increase grade level assignments and instruction. So last year, in 2022, The New Teacher Project did another assessment, and we were at 80 percent grade level instruction. Why is that important? The students can’t pass the test if they’re not exposed to grade level materials. It’s clear forming partnerships has been central to your leadership philosophy. You can’t isolate what happens in the family and the community with what happens in the school. I came with the understanding from being a social worker that I needed to work on every part that touches the student in order for the student to be successful. Therefore, I knew that I needed to strengthen existing partnerships and

form new ones with private and public entities in order to help all of our students reach their potential. What renovations to facilities have happened during your tenure? The two that I’m the most excited and proud of are the renovations at the high school and the development of a new Community Center. Ninety percent of the high school has been renovated based on the four design principles: community, history, hope and wonder. At the high school, you’ll see a lot of external doors so that we can section off parts of the building. For example, we have a clinic where outside visitors can come into the clinic without getting into the rest of the building. Secondly, we are currently in the process of building a Community Center that will include learning spaces and offices for JROTC, childcare and the Youth Empowerment program. In addition, the space will feature four basketball courts and a 200-meter track. I’m extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish and excited for the future.

7 LM Holidays 2023