LM Oct 2021

Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to elevate 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. Dr. Nathaniel Cunningham Thornton Twp HSD#205 Shelly Clover-Hill Shawnee CUSD#84

Who: Shelly Clover-Hill, superintendent What: Expanding educational offerings for students while being at the forefront of a legal battle over a property tax assessment with a local power plant. Where: Shawnee CUSD #84, Shawnee Region. When: Superintendent of Shawnee

Who: Dr. Nathaniel Cunningham, superintendent What: Expanding educational opportunities for students; Transformational Leadership Academy; informally mentoring new superintendents and younger administrators. Where: Thornton Twp HSD #205,

CUSD #84 since 2011. Why: Shelly Clover-Hill believes strongly that a student’s zip code should not be a factor in the quality of education they receive. Over the past decade, Clover-Hill has been at the forefront of a property tax fight to ensure the bottom doesn’t fall out with the largest property tax generator in the district. The situation unfolding in Shawnee CUSD #84 could be groundbreaking, possibly leading to legislation or a change in Evidence-Based Funding in the event a school district suffers a catastrophic loss in revenue. “Our students are not anything less because of their geographic location,” Clover-Hill said. “They deserve an education too, and we are providing one the best we can.” Shawnee CUSD #84 is located about 20 miles east of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, far down in the tip of southern

Cook South Region. When: Fourth year as superintendent of Thornton Twp HSD #205. Superintendent at Crete Monee CUSD #201U for three years. Why: After serving as a civil engineer project manager for the United States Air Force Academy for 10 years, Dr. Cunningham recognized his true calling was in public education. As superintendent of Thornton Twp HSD #205, Dr. Cunningham has focused on expanding educational opportunities for students that will enable them to excel in school and beyond. Thornton Twp HSD #205’s mission focuses on three goals: Enrolled, Enlisted or Employed. “Our focus is on how we can set our kids up for the next step in life,” Dr. Cunningham said. “In some

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LM October 2021